Calories, Adenoma and Colorectal Cancer in Japan

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" Chronological trend of calorie intake and the incidence of

epithelial neoplasms of the large intestine during the past 30 years

in Japan.

Kanazawa K, Negishi S, Kishi K, Sawabe M, Arai T.

Department of Gastroenterological and General Surgery, Jichi Medical

School, Tochigi, Japan. kanazawa@...

OBJECTIVES: The authors tried to elucidate the effects of food intake

on the incidences of colorectal cancer and adenoma. MATERIALS AND

METHODS: Large intestines obtained from a series of consecutive

autopsies performed at the Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital were

scrutinized to detect colorectal neoplasms. Chronological trends and

age-dependent incidences of adenoma and overt lethal cancer were

checked, while cancer in adenoma were included in the category of

adenoma. Data on food consumption were obtained from the 'The

National Nutrition Survey in Japan' (Ministry of Health, Labor and

Welfare of Japan). RESULTS: There were 405 cancers and 12,883

adenomas in the 7,091 large intestines examined. The incidences of

cancer and adenoma increased with age; overt lethal cancer was found

in 5.79% and adenoma in 56.79% of the general population > or =60

years in Tokyo. Calorie intake steeply increased since 1964, the year

of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, until the early 1970s. Subsequently,

it has continuously declined down to the level of the late 1940s,

although the ingredients have changed tremendously. Chronological

trends of the incidences of colorectal cancer and adenoma showed

similar patterns as calorie intake, but, the influence of calorie

intake on the incidences of cancer or adenoma was manifested 18 and

24 years later, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: (1) During the last 30

years, the incidences of colorectal cancer and adenoma were 5.79 and

56.79%, respectively, in individuals aged > or =60 years in Japan.

(2) The chronological trends of both lesions showed a pattern similar

to that of calorie intake, but, as the trend of cancer incidence

preceded the course of adenoma by 6 years, adenoma is not the sole

precursor lesion of overt lethal cancer. "

PMID: 16210878

Rodney.