Cholecystectomy and colorectal carcinoma: a total-population historical prospective study

The relationship between cholecystectomy and colorectal cancer in the Icelandic population was analyzed in a historical prospective study. A total of 3,425 individuals (857 males and 2,568 females) who underwent cholecystectomy during a 26-yr period (1955-1980) were followed for 8-33 yr. The risk of colonic cancer in Icelandic males increased significantly 11 yr or more after operation (relative risk, 2.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-5.19). This is the only study that shows a significantly increased risk of colonic cancer in males only. In spite of this increased risk, regular screening for colonic cancer in Icelandic males would probably not be warranted, since almost 70% of the males are 70 yr old or older at the time of diagnosis.