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Is there an increased incidence of adenomatous polyps in breast cancer patients?
Author(s) -
Jouin Hervé,
Baumann René,
Derlon Anne,
Varra A.,
Calderoli Hubert,
Jaeck Daniel,
WeillBousson Marguerite,
Weill JeanPierre
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19890201)63:3<599::aid-cncr2820630333>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - medicine , incidence (geometry) , adenomatous polyps , breast cancer , colorectal cancer , cancer , gastroenterology , adenoma , oncology , colonoscopy , physics , optics
Using flexible proctosigmoidoscopy, the incidence of adenomatous polyps was studied in 161 patients previously operated on for breast cancer and also in 147 hospitalized controls not presenting with colorectal symptoms. The acceptance and tolerance of the examination were good in both populations. The mean age and length of the colons explored were not statistically different for the two groups. The incidence of adenomas was high in the breast cancer group (14.2%) in comparison to the control group (4.7%) ( P < 0.01). This strong incidence especially concerned very small polyps with a diameter smaller than 3 mm. There were also two polyps with superficial carcinomas in the breast cancer group. Breast cancer does indeed seem to represent a condition with a high risk of colorectal adenomas. Our results prompt us to propose the adoption of systematic screening measures and a surveillance schedule as soon as the breast cancer is found.