Elevated colorectal cancer risk in patients with hemorrhoids

This retrospective cohort study investigates the risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with hemorrhoids, utilizing data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. The study encompasses 36,864 individuals with hemorrhoids diagnosed between 2000 and 2010, and an equal number of matched controls. The incidence rate of CRC was found to be significantly higher in the hemorrhoid cohort at 1.29 per 1000 person-years, compared to 0.54 in the control group.
CRC incidence was particularly elevated at the rectum and sigmoid colon. The study further revealed that the risk of CRC increased with age and was higher in men, although women with hemorrhoids exhibited a slightly higher adjusted HR for CRC. Among those aged ≤49, the HR was 3.53, indicating a substantial risk increase in younger patients with hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoid surgery was associated with a 49.3% reduction in CRC incidence, highlighting the potential protective effect of surgical intervention. The propensity score matching method ensured balanced cohorts, reinforcing the reliability of these findings. Despite limitations such as the unavailability of lifestyle and genetic data, the study underscores the importance of CRC screening in patients with hemorrhoids.