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Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors

Studies have shown that having certain risk factors can make people more likely to develop colorectal cancer. Risk factors include the following (in no particular order):

  • Age: Over 90% of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are older than age 50.
  • Family history: People with a close relative (parent, brother, sister, child) who had colorectal cancer before age 60, or two or more close relatives who had the disease at any age, are at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.
  • Personal history: People who have already had colorectal cancer are at risk of developing it again.
  • Intestinal polyps: Having large or many polyps puts people at an even greater risk of colorectal cancer.
  • Genetic alterations: People with changes in certain genes are more likely to develop colorectal cancer. Common types of inherited (genetic) colorectal cancer are:
    • Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC), the most common type. HNPCC accounts for about 2% of all colorectal cancer cases and is caused by changes in a specific gene.
    • Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). FAP is caused by a change in a specific gene called APC and accounts for less than 1% of all colorectal cancer cases.
    • Family members of people with HNPCC or FAP can have genetic testing to check for specific genetic changes.
  • Diet: People who eat mostly foods that are high in fat, especially from animal sources, are at higher risk of colorectal cancer. (It is recommended that individuals consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods, and limit intake of high-fat foods.)
  • Physical activity: People who do not exercise enough or are very overweight are more likely to develop colorectal cancer.
  • Cigarette smoking/alcoholism: Smokers or people with a history of alcoholism may be at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Discuss any colorectal cancer risk factors you may have with your doctor.

Learn about the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer.

INDICATIONS

Eloxatin® (oxaliplatin injection), used in combination with infusional 5-FU/LV, is indicated for

  • Adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer patients who have undergone complete resection of the primary tumor.
  • Treatment of advanced carcinoma of the colon or rectum.

Clinical Safety Considerations

Anaphylactic-like reactions to ELOXATIN have been reported and may occur within minutes of ELOXATIN administration. Epinephrine, corticosteroids, and antihistamines have been employed to alleviate symptoms.

  • ELOXATIN should not be administered to patients with a history of known allergy to ELOXATIN or other platinum compounds. Hypersensitivity and anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions to ELOXATIN have been reported and were similar in nature and severity to those reported with other platinum compounds (ie, rash, urticaria, erythema, pruritus, and, rarely, bronchospasm and hypotension). These reactions occur within minutes of administration and should be managed with appropriate supportive therapy. Drug-related deaths from this reaction have been reported.
  • ELOXATIN may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Women of childbearing potential should be advised not to become pregnant while receiving ELOXATIN. It is not known whether ELOXATIN or its derivatives are excreted in human milk.
  • ELOXATIN has been associated with pulmonary fibrosis (<1% of study patients), which may be fatal. The combined incidence of cough and dyspnea was 7.4% (<1% grade 3, no grade 4) in the ELOXATIN plus 5-FU/LV arm compared to 4.5% (no grade 3, 0.1% grade 4) in the 5-FU/LV alone arm in the adjuvant colon cancer study. In this study, one patient died from eosinophilic pneumonia in the ELOXATIN combination arm. The combined incidence of cough, dyspnea, and hypoxia was 43% (7% grade 3 and 4) in the ELOXATIN plus 5-FU/LV arm compared to 32% (5% grade 3 and 4) in the irinotecan plus 5-FU/LV arm in patients with previously untreated colorectal cancer. In case of unexplained respiratory symptoms, ELOXATIN should be discontinued until pulmonary investigation excludes interstitial lung disease or pulmonary fibrosis.
  • ELOXATIN is associated with two types of primarily peripheral sensory neuropathy: an acute, reversible type of early onset and a persistent type (>14 days). In patients with advanced colorectal cancer paresthesias occurred in 77% (all grades) and 18% (grade 3/4) of previously untreated patients. In previously treated patients, acute neuropathy occurred in 56% (all grades) and 2% (grade 3/4) of patients; persistent neuropathy occurred in 48% (all grades) and 6% (grade 3/4) of patients. In patients with stage II and III colon cancer, paresthesia was seen in 92% (all grades) and 13% (grade 3/4) of patients; 21% (all grades), 0.5% (grade 3/4) had residual paresthesia at 18-month follow-up.
  • Hepatotoxicity, as evidenced in the adjuvant study by increase in transaminases and alkaline phosphatase was observed more commonly in the ELOXATIN combination arm. The incidence of increased bilirubin was similar on both arms. Changes noted on liver biopsies include: peliosis, nodular regenerative hyperplasia or sinusoidal alterations, perisinusoidal fibrosis and veno-occlusive lesions. Hepatic vascular disorders should be considered and, if appropriate, investigated in case of abnormal liver function test results or portal hypertension not explained by liver metastases.
  • Monitoring of white blood cell count with differential, hemoglobin, platelet count and blood chemistries (including ALT, AST, bilirubin and creatinine) is recommended before each ELOXATIN cycle.
  • The safety and effectiveness of ELOXATIN plus 5-FU/LV in patients with renal impairment have not been evaluated. Since the primary route of platinum elimination is renal, this combination should be used with caution in patients with preexisting renal impairment. Clearance of these products may be decreased by coadministration of potentially nephrotoxic compounds, although this has not been specifically studied.
  • The incidence of diarrhea, dehydration, hypokalemia, leukopenia, fatigue and syncope were higher in patients ≥65 years old.
  • Extravasation may result in local pain and inflammation that may be severe and lead to complications, including necrosis. Injection site reaction, including redness, swelling and pain, has been reported.
  • There have been reports of prolonged prothrombin time and INR occasionally associated with hemorrhage in patients receiving ELOXATIN plus 5-FU/LV while on anticoagulants. Patients receiving ELOXATIN plus 5-FU/LV and requiring oral anticoagulants may require closer monitoring.
  • The most common adverse reactions in patients with stage II or III colon cancer receiving adjuvant therapy were peripheral sensory neuropathy, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, nausea, increase in transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, diarrhea, emesis, fatigue, and stomatitis. The most common adverse reactions in patients with advanced colorectal cancer were peripheral sensory neuropathy, fatigue, neutropenia, nausea, emesis, and diarrhea.

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