Appendicitis and Colon Cancer: Exploring the Connection through a Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Abstract

Varun Rachakonda B.S., Anuttham Kandhadai B.S., Hassan Arif B.S., Joshua Katz B.S. and Aya Akhras M.D.

Purpose: Appendicitis and colon cancer are medical conditions with unique clinical implications. While both conditions have been extensively studied individually, the potential relationship between appendicitis and subsequent development of colon cancer remains unclear. Understanding this association could impact preventive strategies. This study aimed to investigate whether a history of appendicitis is a risk factor for the development of colon cancer.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX database. The study cohorts were defined based on the index event of a colonoscopy, with one group comprising patients with a history of appendicitis prior to colonoscopy and the other without. Individuals with a history of colonic polyps, neoplasms, or secondary malignancies of the colon prior to colonoscopy were excluded. Propensity-score matching was performed based on comorbidities. The primary outcomes of interest were the 5-year rates of mortality and malignant neoplasms of the colon.

Results: After matching, there were 16,651 patients in each cohort. The rate of colon cancer in patients with a history of appendicitis was 2.14%, compared to 1.50% in patients without a history of appendicitis (RR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.21-1.67). Interestingly, mortality rates were lower in the group with a history of appendicitis, with a rate of 4.07% compared to 5.98% in the group without appendicitis (RR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.62-0.75).

Conclusion: This study suggests that a history of appendicitis may be associated with an increased risk of developing colon cancer. Additionally, the findings reveal a lower mortality rate in patients with a history of appendicitis. Understanding the association between appendicitis and colon cancer can improve screening strategies and patient management in clinical practice. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore potential preventive measures in individuals with a history of appendicitis.

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