Risk of colorectal cancer in patients with appendicitis over the age of 40 years.

Aim: Acute appendicitis in late adulthood is hypothesized to be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to establish whether patients over the age of 40 years presenting with appendicitis had an increased risk of being diagnosed with CRC over the subsequent 3 years.

Method: This is a retrospective review of patients aged 40 years and over presenting to Canterbury District Health Board with appendicitis from January 2010 to December 2015.