Gallstones Are Associated with Right-Sided Colon Cancer

Cholecystectomy has been associated with an increased risk for right-sided colon cancer. This link is often attributed to increased exposure of proximal colon mucosa to secondary bile acids after cholecystectomy.

In a prospective study from Copenhagen, residents aged 30 to 70 years were invited to undergo abdominal ultrasound between 1982 and 1992 and then followed for a median of 25 years. Of 5928 participants, 7% had gallstones and 3% had cholecystectomy at baseline. Of those with gallstones, 15% had awareness of gallstones, and the remainder were not notified of the results. During follow-up, 7% developed at least one gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, 23% developed a non-GI cancer, 45% were alive without cancer, and 25% died of other causes. …