Metabolic syndrome and its association with colorectal cancer: a review

Currently, significant amount of epidemiologic evidence is present to suggest that metabolic syndrome increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. This evidence is based on studies of the evaluate determinants of the metabolic syndrome (obesity), clinical consequences of metabolic syndrome (type 2 diabetes and hypertension) and serum component of metabolic syndrome (hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), as well as markers of hyperinsulinemia. Although the exact pathogenesis of this relationship is unknown, it seems that hyperinsulinemia may play a pivotal role in increasing CRC risk.