Antibiotic use affects colorectal cancer recurrence risk.

Outpatient antibiotic intake post-surgery negatively impacts the three-year disease-free survival (DFS) in colorectal cancer patients. Among 35,496 individuals, 79% received antibiotics, with specific classes such as cephalosporins and quinolones linked to increased risk of recurrence. The effects varied based on tumor location and disease stage, indicating that antibiotics may modulate post-surgical outcomes and contribute to cancer recurrence. These findings underscore the need for careful antibiotic management in colorectal cancer treatment.