CHOLESTEROLEMIA IN COLORECTAL-CANCER

BAGKGROUND/AIMS: Colorectal cancer incidence is higher in developed co untries. High fat intake is one of the risk factors. However, many stu dies observed lower cholesterol serum levels on diagnosis of colorecta l cancer. The aim of this assay was to study the serum cholesterol lev els in patients with colorectal cancer and compare these values with i ndividuals of the same age and sex. METHODOLOGY: Cholesterol serum lev els of 85 patients with colorecectal cancer were determined. Each of t he patients with colorectal cancer were matched with an individual wit hout cancer of the same age and sex. Total cholesterol concentrations were determined using an enzymatic colorimetric method. RESULTS: The m ean serum of cholesterol was 183,4 for the colorectal group and 209.1 for the control group. This difference was statistically significant. This difference was more evident in patients with colon cancer and old er than 60 years of age. There was no difference between the different Dukes' stage. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggest an association between l ow blood cholesterol and colorectal cancer. We believe that the lower level of cholesterol observed in these patients is a consequence betwe en the difference of colorectal carcinogenesis.