From the Desk of Dr. Lenz
Colon Cancer and Alcohol
For years we have known that alcohol consumption is one of the risk factors in developing colon cancer particular in women. This week an interesting article was published by Dr. Christopher Forsyth from Rush University Medical Center suggesting that if you have colon cancer and you drink alcohol that colon cancer may spread easier.
Alcohol may play a role in the process of transition from the origin of the colon cancer into the surrounding tissue and spread through the blood system. Alcohol seems to turn on signals allowing this way of spreading called EMT (epithelial–to–mesenchymal transition).
Many research groups are working on understanding better how this process works, particularly what tools the tumor cells have to make the different steps successfully from moving from its original space called epithelial to the surrounding tissue called mesenchym, which is the reason the process is called epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). If we could understand the exact steps better, we might find treatments to stop the process or even reverse it.
This study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research is the first giving suggestions that our diet may influence that process.
Laboratory tests showed that alcohol activated characteristic of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and demonstrated that the alcohol-treated cells had lost their tight junctions with adjacent cells, a preparation for migrating, as metastatic cells do.
This news article was originally posted on November 3rd, 2009 and was accurate at the time of publication. Since then, information may have changed or links may now be outdated. Please call our Answer Line 1-877-427-2111 for the latest information, or talk to your doctor before making any medical decisions.
Posted by Heinz-Josef Lenz, MD on November 3rd, 2009
Tags: alcohol, metastasis, Treating Colorectal Cancer
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Jennifer
November 3, 2009 at 8:54am
If this is true then among colon cancer patients drinkers should have greater rates of metastasis than non-drinkers. Is that in fact the case?
And does this new research say anything about the risk for women vs men? My understanding was that female patients were ok with one drink a day and men with two.
Heinz-Josef Lenz
November 3, 2009 at 11:26am
Jennifer you saw my blog there is some evidence in early models….but we dont know for sure if this happens also in real pateints and what level of alcohol this may happen. So women just cant metabolize alcohols like men and therefore should not drink more than 1 glass anyway. these data would not let me forbid a good glass of wine once in a while just not every day HJL
Jennifer Weir
November 3, 2009 at 11:27am
Dr Lenz,
Would it be smart to conclude that those fighting cancer might stop drinking altogether just to be safe? I am not interested in helping cancer in anyway.
Sparkling water tastes wonderful in wine glasses.
Thanks,
Another Jennifer
Heinz-Josef Lenz
November 3, 2009 at 11:32am
Yes pretty much that would be safest…
Your Northern California Fans
November 5, 2009 at 9:55am
Is the data the same for men? I am a wine “lover”, but I love life more….
Many thanks and best regards
David
Heinz-Josef Lenz
November 6, 2009 at 8:29pm
how can I be against wine growing up in a Winery in the German RHine Valley. WIne making is in our family for over 500 years…….i think we just cant overdo it……for women one glass every day may be too much……once a week think should be ok