Evaluation of relationship between serum lipids levels with colorectal carcinoma: a single center prospective case control study.

Background/aims: To evaluate association of serum lipids and fasting plasma glucose levels with colorectal cancer.

Methodology: This prospective case control study was conducted with 347 patients with colorectal carcinoma and 310 age and gender matched healthy controls who were examined for annual check-up. Total cholesterol, serum lipids and fasting glucose levels were measured in both groups. Body weight and body mass indices were also evaluated.

Results: The mean serum cholesterol level was 167.4 +/- 43.6 mg/dL for patients with colorectal cancer and 210.1 +/- 30.7 mg/dL for controls. The mean fasting plasma glucose levels for both groups were respectively 107.7 +/- 22.4 and 90.2 +/- 10.3. Between the colorectal cancer and control groups, there was a statistically significant difference in fasting plasma glucose and serum lipid levels except LDL-C. Serum total cholesterol level was even lower in advanced stages of cancer.

Conclusions: Our study suggests that there is an inverse association between low serum total cholesterol levels and colorectal cancer. Since cholesterol levels were lower in the advanced stages of colorectal cancer it is possible that low levels of serum cholesterol levels were a consequence of colorectal cancer. The association with hypertriglyceridemia and high fasting plasma glucose levels suggest the role of hyperinsulinemia in colorectal carcinogenesis.