The Impact of Cholecystectomy on Colorectal Cancer Risk: A Comprehensive Review on Risk Factors and the Association

This review examines the debated association between cholecystectomy and colorectal cancer risk. The goal is to evaluate biological mechanisms, epidemiological evidence, and related risk factors to better understand this potential association.

Cholecystectomy may increase CRC risk through altered bile acid metabolism and gut microbiota changes, particularly in the right colon. Epidemiological studies, however, yield mixed outcomes: some show a heightened CRC risk following surgery, especially in women and for proximal colon cancers, while others find no notable link or even a lower risk compared to individuals with untreated gallstones. No clear consensus exists on the cholecystectomy-CRC link. Biological evidence hints at a possible connection, yet epidemiological findings are inconsistent, calling for more prospective research to resolve this uncertainty. Until conclusive answers emerge, high-risk patients' post-cholecystectomy may benefit from enhanced CRC screening and lifestyle adjustments, influencing future clinical and research directions.