Colorectal cancer and hypercholesterolemia: review of current research.

Aim: In spite of ample research about a high level of cholesterol in the blood of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), the relationship between factors causing hypercholesterolemia and factors leading to CRC development is not fully investigated. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the current research about the risk factors leading to the development of hypercholesterolemia and CRC, and to show the relationship between these factors, hypercholesterolemia and CRC with the implication for CRC preventive and treatment practices.

Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE and PUBMED databases between 1990 and 2005 was conducted to locate the studies that investigated the risk factors causing CRC and hypercholesterolemia. From among 255 studies found, 66 were selected that matched the following criteria for selection: (1) reported original research; (2) discussed at least one of the listed eight factors; (3) discussed hypercholesterolemia; and/or (4) discussed colon or rectum cancer.

Results: The studies were grouped according to four areas of research: (1) studies that explored the relationship between different factors and CRC incidences; (2) studies that investigated the relationship between different factors and CRC incidences and the role of mutations in causing CRC; (3) studies that looked at the factors causing hypercholesterolemia; and (4) studies that explored the relationship among the factors, hypercholesterolemia, and CRC development. A discussion of the studies is presented and the details related to the studies major aspects are summarized in 4 tables.

Conclusion: The review has revealed a relationship between factors that can lead to the development of CRC and those that lead to hypercholesterolemia. Although the role of many individual risk factors is still controversial the analysis of their significance in combination might be important for diagnostic and development of the models for prediction of cancer occurrence.