Patients who underwent surgery for acute appendicitis had a lower subsequent risk of colorectal cancer than those treated with antibiotics alone, according to a study involving more than 30,000 patients.
Study Findings
Researchers reviewed data on 15,774 patients who underwent appendectomy and 15,295 who received antibiotic treatment. Colorectal cancer was later diagnosed in 0.7% of the surgery group compared with 1.7% of those treated with antibiotics. After accounting for risk factors, appendectomy was associated with a 58% lower relative risk of subsequent colorectal cancer.
As per Reuters, the researchers said the findings do not mean that all patients with appendicitis should undergo surgery to prevent cancer. Antibiotic treatment remains an accepted option for selected patients.
Long-Term Implications Need Further Study
The researchers suggested that inflammation, changes in the gut microbiome or the appendix’s role in intestinal immunity could potentially explain the association. However, the study was observational and was not designed to establish a causal relationship.
The findings are expected to prompt further research into the long-term cancer implications of surgical and non-surgical management of appendicitis.