Sep

7

2024

Iron Deficiency and Colon Cancer

By William Aird

The percentage of patients with iron deficiency anemia who have colon cancer varies significantly between studies. A common estimate is that between 6-10% of patients with iron deficiency anemia may have an underlying colon cancer, particularly in older adults or those with additional risk factors for malignancy. This highlights the importance of gastrointestinal evaluation, including colonoscopy, for individuals presenting with unexplained iron deficiency anemia.

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References:

CitationPubMed LinkPDF
AGA Technical Review on Gastrointestinal Evaluation of IDA. Gastroenterology. 2020;159:1097-1119LinkLink