Possible role of acetaldehyde in ethanol-related rectal cocarcinogenesis in the rat.

Prospective epidemiologic studies have reported an increased risk of rectal cancer following chronic ethanol ingestion. The effect of ethanol on chemically induced colorectal carcinogenesis is controversial depending on the experimental conditions. In the present study the effect of chronic ethanol administration on acetoxymethylmethylnitrosamine-induced rectal cancer and the possible role of acetaldehyde in this process were investigated.