Increased Long-Term Risk of Cancer in Patients with Diverticular Disease

Study findings show elevated relative risk of cancer, excluding colorectal, following diverticular disease diagnosis. There is a higher risk for lung, bronchi, trachea, and kidney cancers. The decreased risk of colorectal cancer may be due to colonoscopy with polypectomy in diverticular disease patients. Prevalence of cancer risk factors in diverticular disease patients likely contributes to increased cancer risk.