Diet and Colorectal Adenomatous Polyps

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IN RESPONSE:

We appreciate Dr. Anand's comments. The time lag between the preparation of a manuscript and its publication can lead to missing a recent publication. Indeed, a new review article by our group [1] now documents seven published studies on diet and adenomatous polyps; more are undoubtedly on the way.

Overall, we agree that dietary variables play a role in the incidence of adenomatous polyps, similar to that shown for colorectal cancer. We did not find an association of alcohol with adenomatous polyps after adjusting for cigarette smoking, which is related to adenoma incidence [2]. To date, however, our report [3] is the only published observational study on risk factors for polyp recurrence.

Our article did not address the physiologic and cellular mechanisms by which dietary factors may play a role in colon carcinogenesis. We are particularly attracted to the diacylglycerol mechanism suggested by Dr. Anand and agree that evidence for its possible intermediary role is accumulating [4]. As always, much work remains to be done in elucidating these mechanisms and exploring their interactions with genetic predisposition.

Alfred I. Neugut

The Editors welcome submissions for possible publication in the Letters section. Authors of letters should:

Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references

Type with double-spacing

Send three copies of the letter, an authors' form signed by all authors, and a cover letter describing any conflicts of interest related to the contents of the letter.

Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.

Annals welcomes electronically submitted letters.

References

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