The risk of mortality from multiple primary cancers in colorectal cancer survivors: analysis of data from the South Australian Cancer Registry

Abstract Purpose Colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors face an increased risk of multiple primary cancers (MPCs), but evidence on MPC-related mortality is limited. Methods Using data from the South Australian Cancer Registry (1982–2017), this retrospective study analysed CRC survivors diagnosed with MPC...

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Main Authors: Mulugeta Melku, Oliver G. Best, Jean M. Winter, Lauren A. Thurgood, Ganessan Kichenadasse, Molla M. Wassie, Muktar Ahmed, Erin L. Symonds
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06268-w
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author Mulugeta Melku
Oliver G. Best
Jean M. Winter
Lauren A. Thurgood
Ganessan Kichenadasse
Molla M. Wassie
Muktar Ahmed
Erin L. Symonds
author_facet Mulugeta Melku
Oliver G. Best
Jean M. Winter
Lauren A. Thurgood
Ganessan Kichenadasse
Molla M. Wassie
Muktar Ahmed
Erin L. Symonds
author_sort Mulugeta Melku
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose Colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors face an increased risk of multiple primary cancers (MPCs), but evidence on MPC-related mortality is limited. Methods Using data from the South Australian Cancer Registry (1982–2017), this retrospective study analysed CRC survivors diagnosed with MPCs, defined as distinct primary cancers arising ≥ 2 months after CRC diagnosis. Causes of death were categorised as index CRC, MPC, or non-cancer related. Poisson regression estimated cancer-specific mortality risk compared to the general population. Propensity score weighting was applied to balance covariate distribution between CRC survivors with and without MPC groups. A hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality was estimated using a weighted dataset to assess the impact of MPC on overall survival. Results Among 26,093 CRC survivors (181,877 person-years follow-up), the age-standardised MPC-related mortality rate was 240 per 100,000 population. Gastrointestinal, lung, haematological, and urinary tract cancers were the most common MPC-related causes of death. CRC survivors had a 45% higher risk of dying from MPCs than the general population (standardised mortality ratio = 1.45, 95%CI 1.38–1.52). Adjusted analyses showed a 58% increase in all-cause mortality among CRC survivors with MPCs (HR = 1.58, 95%CI 1.51–1.65). Conclusions CRC survivors with MPC face significantly worse survival compared to those with a single primary CRC. Early detection and management of MPCs are essential for improving long-term survival in individuals diagnosed with CRC.
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spelling doaj-art-b3647074e4cd4b5db31f5a186579e5f42025-08-20T04:01:44ZengSpringerJournal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology1432-13352025-07-01151711110.1007/s00432-025-06268-wThe risk of mortality from multiple primary cancers in colorectal cancer survivors: analysis of data from the South Australian Cancer RegistryMulugeta Melku0Oliver G. Best1Jean M. Winter2Lauren A. Thurgood3Ganessan Kichenadasse4Molla M. Wassie5Muktar Ahmed6Erin L. Symonds7Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders UniversityFlinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders UniversityFlinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders UniversityFlinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders UniversityFlinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders UniversityFlinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders UniversityFlinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders UniversityFlinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders UniversityAbstract Purpose Colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors face an increased risk of multiple primary cancers (MPCs), but evidence on MPC-related mortality is limited. Methods Using data from the South Australian Cancer Registry (1982–2017), this retrospective study analysed CRC survivors diagnosed with MPCs, defined as distinct primary cancers arising ≥ 2 months after CRC diagnosis. Causes of death were categorised as index CRC, MPC, or non-cancer related. Poisson regression estimated cancer-specific mortality risk compared to the general population. Propensity score weighting was applied to balance covariate distribution between CRC survivors with and without MPC groups. A hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality was estimated using a weighted dataset to assess the impact of MPC on overall survival. Results Among 26,093 CRC survivors (181,877 person-years follow-up), the age-standardised MPC-related mortality rate was 240 per 100,000 population. Gastrointestinal, lung, haematological, and urinary tract cancers were the most common MPC-related causes of death. CRC survivors had a 45% higher risk of dying from MPCs than the general population (standardised mortality ratio = 1.45, 95%CI 1.38–1.52). Adjusted analyses showed a 58% increase in all-cause mortality among CRC survivors with MPCs (HR = 1.58, 95%CI 1.51–1.65). Conclusions CRC survivors with MPC face significantly worse survival compared to those with a single primary CRC. Early detection and management of MPCs are essential for improving long-term survival in individuals diagnosed with CRC.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06268-wColorectal cancerHazard ratioMortalityMultiple primary cancerStandardised mortality ratio
spellingShingle Mulugeta Melku
Oliver G. Best
Jean M. Winter
Lauren A. Thurgood
Ganessan Kichenadasse
Molla M. Wassie
Muktar Ahmed
Erin L. Symonds
The risk of mortality from multiple primary cancers in colorectal cancer survivors: analysis of data from the South Australian Cancer Registry
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
Colorectal cancer
Hazard ratio
Mortality
Multiple primary cancer
Standardised mortality ratio
title The risk of mortality from multiple primary cancers in colorectal cancer survivors: analysis of data from the South Australian Cancer Registry
title_full The risk of mortality from multiple primary cancers in colorectal cancer survivors: analysis of data from the South Australian Cancer Registry
title_fullStr The risk of mortality from multiple primary cancers in colorectal cancer survivors: analysis of data from the South Australian Cancer Registry
title_full_unstemmed The risk of mortality from multiple primary cancers in colorectal cancer survivors: analysis of data from the South Australian Cancer Registry
title_short The risk of mortality from multiple primary cancers in colorectal cancer survivors: analysis of data from the South Australian Cancer Registry
title_sort risk of mortality from multiple primary cancers in colorectal cancer survivors analysis of data from the south australian cancer registry
topic Colorectal cancer
Hazard ratio
Mortality
Multiple primary cancer
Standardised mortality ratio
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06268-w
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