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World J Clin Cases. Aug 6, 2026; 14(22): 121062
Published online Aug 6, 2026. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.121062
Published online Aug 6, 2026. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.121062
Irritable bowel syndrome and colon cancer: A meta-analysis
Hyder Osman Mirghani, Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 51941, Saudi Arabia
Ghadah Osman Alanazi, Diabetes Center, King Fahd Specialist Hospital, Tabuk Healthcare Cluster, Diabetes Center, King Fahd Specialist Hospital, Tabuk Healthcare Cluster, Tabuk 51941, Saudi Arabia
Co-first authors: Hyder Osman Mirghani and Ghadah Osman Alanazi.
Author contributions: Mirghani HO performed the conception and design of the study, the literature search, data analysis, the drafting and critical revision of the manuscript, and provided the final approval of the version to be published; Alanazi GO searched the literature, interpreted the data, drafted and critically revised the manuscript, and provided the final approval of the version to be published; both authors have made crucial and indispensable contributions towards the completion of the project and thus qualified as the co-first authors of the paper.
AI contribution statement: No AI tool was involved in the generation of research data, interpretation of results, or formulation of conclusions.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2009 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2009 Checklist.
Corresponding author: Hyder Osman Mirghani, MD, Full Professor, Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Prince Fahd Bin Sulta, Tabuk 51941, Saudi Arabia.
Received: March 16, 2026
Revised: May 10, 2026
Accepted: June 23, 2026
Published online: August 6, 2026
Processing time: 142 Days and 2.7 Hours
Revised: May 10, 2026
Accepted: June 23, 2026
Published online: August 6, 2026
Processing time: 142 Days and 2.7 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is prevalent, and this prevalence varies depending on geography, diagnostic methods, and sociodemographic factors. The Rome criteria are the most commonly used diagnostic method, however, an important limitation of the Rome criteria overall is their potential overlap with organic diseases. This can complicate diagnosis and increase the risk of missing significant organic pathology if careful clinical evaluation is not performed. There is a recent concern regarding the association between IBS and colorectal cancer (CRC), particularly in those < 50 years of age. The current review synthesized the most recent evidence regarding the association between CRC and IBS.