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Primary ovarian cancer after colorectal cancer: a Dutch nationwide population-based study

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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background and purpose

Women with colorectal cancer (CRC) are at risk not only of developing ovarian metastases, but also of developing a primary ovarian malignancy. Several earlier studies have in fact shown a link between the development of primary ovarian cancer and CRC. The purpose of this study was therefore to determine the risk of developing a primary ovarian cancer in women with prior CRC compared to the general population.

Methods

Data from the Netherlands Cancer Registry were used. All women diagnosed with invasive CRC between 1989 and 2017 were included. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and absolute excess risks (AERs) per 10,000 person-years were calculated.

Results

During the study period, 410 (0.3%) CRC patients were diagnosed with primary ovarian cancer. Women with CRC had a 20% increased risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to the general population (SIR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1–1.3). The AER of ovarian cancer was 0.9 per 10,000 person-years. The risk was especially increased within the first year of a CRC diagnosis (SIR = 3.3, 95% CI: 2.8–3.8) and in women aged ≤ 55 years (SIR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.6–2.6).

Conclusion

This study found a slightly increased risk of primary ovarian cancer in women diagnosed with CRC compared to the general population. However, this may be partly attributable to surveillance or detection bias. Nevertheless, our findings could be helpful for patient counseling, as CRC patients do not currently receive information concerning the increased risk of ovarian cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Máxima Medical Center, P.O. Box 7777, 5500 MB, Veldhoven, The Netherlands

    R. van der Meer & R. M. H. Roumen

  2. Department of Surgery, Catharina Cancer Institute, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    I. H. J. T. de Hingh & F. N. van Erning

  3. GROW - School for Oncology and Development Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    I. H. J. T. de Hingh & R. M. H. Roumen

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands

    S. F. P. J. Coppus

  5. Department of Research and Development, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organization, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    F. N. van Erning

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  1. R. van der Meer
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the conception and design of this study. Material preparation, data collection and data analysis were performed by van der Meer and van Erning. The first draft of the manuscript was written by van der Meer and all authors provided feedback on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to R. van der Meer.

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van der Meer, R., de Hingh, I.H.J.T., Coppus, S.F.P.J. et al. Primary ovarian cancer after colorectal cancer: a Dutch nationwide population-based study. Int J Colorectal Dis 37, 1593–1599 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-022-04184-w

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