Cholesterolemia in colorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Colorectal cancer incidence is higher in developed countries. High fat intake is one of the risk factors. However, many studies observed lower cholesterol serum levels on diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The aim of this assay was to study the serum cholesterol levels in patients with colorectal cancer and compare these values with individuals of the same age and sex.


METHODS
Cholesterol serum levels of 85 patients with colorectal cancer were determined. Each of the patients with colorectal cancer were matched with an individual without cancer of the same age and sex. Total cholesterol concentrations were determined using an enzymatic colorimetric method.


RESULTS
The mean serum of cholesterol was 183.4 for the colorectal group and 209.7 for the control group. This difference was statistically significant. This difference was more evident in patients with colon cancer and older than 60 years of age. There was no difference between the different Dukes' stage.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggest an association between low blood cholesterol and colorectal cancer. We believe that the lower level of cholesterol observed in these patients is a consequence between the difference of colorectal carcinogenesis.
Forones
N M
NM
Clinical Gastroenterology, Oncology Division, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP-Escola Paulista de Medicina), SP, Brazil. nora@gastro.epm.br
Falcao
J B
JB
Mattos
D
D
Barone
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood
D002784:Cholesterol