title: The risk of colonic adenomas and colonic cancer in obesity.
abstract: Increasing body fatness has been associated with an increased burden from colorectal cancer. An increased susceptibility spanning the entire continuum from precancerous adenomatous polyps to the development of colorectal cancer, poor outcome with treatment, and reduced survival when compared to those with normal body weight has been described. It is unknown which age period and which degree and duration of excess weight are associated with increased colorectal cancer risk. It is uncertain whether weight loss can reverse this risk. If it can, how long will the new lower or normal weight be maintained to effect enduring risk reduction? Furthermore, it is controversial whether the increased burden of colorectal cancer warrants earlier and/or more frequent screening for obese persons. This article reviews the relationship between obesity and colorectal neoplasia, explores the postulated mechanism of carcinogenesis, discusses interventions to reduce the burden of disease, and suggests future directions of research.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine, 2041 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20060, USA. Electronic address: adeyinka.laiyemo@howard.edu.
authors.forename: Adeyinka O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Laiyemo
mesh_terms: D018256:Adenomatous Polyps / Q000209:etiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*
keywords: Adenomatous polyps; Body mass index; Colonic neoplasm; Colorectal cancer; Obesity