Research has shown that a decline in renal function was closely associated with cardiovascular diseases, and that incidence (new cases) of cancer was higher in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) than in those without it, including patients who had received kidney transplants. 

A review of 50 studies published between 1997 and 2022 across 19 countries now suggests that people with CKD are at greater risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Learn what the researchers discovered during their analysis, and what it could mean for you or a loved one.*

What the researchers did

For the study, published in the Arab Journal of Urology, the team reviewed 50 research articles for new cases of CRC among patients with various types of CKD. 

The reviewed studies involved a total of  4,337,966 patients and covered a wide geographical range, including Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Egypt, Finland, Hong-Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The researchers looked at the prevalence (proportion of a given population affected by a medical condition at a given point in time) and incidence (the number of new cases over a given period of time among the people at risk for a disease) of colorectal cancer among people with CKD.

What they found and what it means

The study findings indicated that patients with CKD had a significantly higher risk of developing CRC, with incidence rates ranging from 0.75 to 3.94. This was true regardless of:

• Age
• Stage of the cancer

The study had several limitations, including:

• Only observational studies were used
• The studies used lacked data regarding mortality
• The studies used lacked data concerning stages and severity of CKD
• Sample sizes varied between studies, complicating data interpretation

While more robust research is necessary to explore and understand this relationship more deeply, based on the current findings, the study authors concluded that people with CKD are more prone to developing CRC and would benefit from early screening and any necessary treatment for a better prognosis. 

*Bonavitacola, J. (2024, January 9). Risk of Colorectal Cancer Higher in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease. American Journal of Managed Care. https://www.ajmc.com/view/risk-of-colorectal-cancer-higher-in-patients-with-chronic-kidney-disease

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