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Family history as a marker of risk for colorectal cancer: Austrian experience

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Abstract

A family history of colorectal cancer is a known risk factor for the disease. As a result of different study designs from different populations, the strength of this association varies in the literature. We intended to define the incidence and the risk predictors in first-degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer in the Austrian population. A family history was obtained from first-degree relatives of 100 consecutive patients with sporadic colorectal cancer. Life-table methods were used to compare the observed and expected incidence of colorectal cancer and the influence of differences in risk for first-degree family members. The calculated lifetime risk for colorectal cancer in Austria is 1:16. Individuals with a positive family history had a 4.6-fold risk (p ≤ 0.0001), particularly in the case of a young index patient (p ≤ 0.011) or if two or more family members were affected (p ≤ 0.001). In addition, the risk for gastric cancer in relatives was increased almost fourfold (p ≤ 0.0001). We have confirmed for Austria that a positive family history of colorectal cancer is a strong risk factor, and that this risk is comparable to that in other Western countries. We have shown that relatives are also at increased risk for gastric cancer.

Résumé

L’antécédent familial de cancer colorectal est un facteur de risque reconnu. Etant données les grandes variations d’élaboration dans les études, la puissance de cette association est perçue très différament dans la littérature. Nous entendons définir l’incidence et les facteurs de risque chez les parents du premier degré des patients ayant un cancer colorectal dans la population de l’Autriche. On a analysé les antécédents familiaux chez les parents du premier degré chez 100 patients consécutifs ayant un cancer colorectal. On a comparé les incidences observée et attendue du cancer colorectal sporadique ainsi que les différences dans le risque parmi les parents due premier degré par la méthode des tables de survie. Le risque calculé de survenue de cancer colorectal dans une vie est 1 sur 16 en Autriche. Les individus ayant un antécédent familial ont un risque de 4.6 (p < 0.0001), particulièrement lorsque le membre de la famille atteint est jeune (p < 0.011) ou lorsque deux membres ou plus de la famille sont déjà atteints (p < 0.0001). De plus, le risque de cancer gastrique est augmenté de presque quatre fois (p < 0.0001). En conclusion, nous avons confirmé que, pour l’Autriche, un antécédent de cancer colorectal familial est un facteur de risque important, et que ce risque est comparable à celui d’autres pays de l’Ouest. Nous avons également démontré que les parents sont à risque pour le cancer gastrique.

Resumen

La historia familiar de cáncer colo-rectal constituye un factor conocido de riesgo de padecer la enfermedad. Como resultado de los diferentes diseños de los estudios realizados en diversas poblaciones, la intensidad de tal asociación varía en la literatura. Nos propusimos definir la incidencia y los predictores de riesgo en familiares de primer grado de pacientes con cáncer colo-rectal en la población de Austria. Se tomó la historia familiar en parientes de primer grado de 100 pacientes consecutivos con cáncer colorectal esporádico. A fin de comparar la incidencia observada y la influencia de diferencias en el riesgo en los parientes de primer grado, se utilizaron métodos basados en tablas de vida. En Austria el riesgo de desarrollar cáncer colo-rectal en el curso de la vida es de 1 en 16. Los individuos con historia familiar positiva tuvieron un riesgo aumentado en 4.6 veces (p < 0.0001), especialmente en el caso de un paciente joven (p < 0.011) o si dos o más miembros de la familia aparecían afectados (p < 0.001). Además, en los parientes el riesgo de cáncer gástrico apareció aumentado casi cuatro veces (p < 0.0001). En conclusión, hemos confirmado que en Austria la historia familiar de cáncer colo-rectal, significa un factor de riesgo fuerte y que tal riesgo es comparable al de otros países occidentales. Además, hemos demostrado que los parientes también tienen un mayor riesgo de cáncer gástrico.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Vienna Medical School, Währingergürtel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria

    Judith Karner-Hanusch & Friedrich Herbst

  2. Department of Medical Computer Sciences, University of Vienna Medical School, Währingergürtel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria

    Martina Mittlböck

  3. Department of Surgery, District Hospital, Hollabrunn, Austria

    Thomas Fillipitsch

Authors
  1. Judith Karner-Hanusch
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  2. Martina Mittlböck
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  3. Thomas Fillipitsch
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  4. Friedrich Herbst
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Karner-Hanusch, J., Mittlböck, M., Fillipitsch, T. et al. Family history as a marker of risk for colorectal cancer: Austrian experience. World J. Surg. 21, 205–209 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002689900217

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