[Carcinoma of the large intestine and cholecystectomy]

The authors draw attention to the high incidence of carcinoma of the large intestine in conjunction with cholecystectomy. The increased incidence of this disease was observed in patients after cholecystectomy (17.69%). The authors processed data from a group of 260 patients with colorectal carcinoma during the ten-year period from 1979 to 1988, in 46 with cholelithiasis during previous period cholecystectomy was performed, i.e. in 17.69%. It is assumed that the stimulating effect in carcinogenesis of the large intestine are changes in the bile acid metabolism occurring after cholecystectomy. Hitherto valid indications for cholecystectomy do not change, however, but make us consider these relationships in clinical practice and call for further analyses.