Qin Zhang, Sumei Sha, Bin Xu, Shuhui Liang, Kaichun Wu1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, P. R. China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer (UC-CRC) is a serious complication of UC. Data on the clinical characteristics of patients in China are scarce. AIMS: We aimed to study the incidence, characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of CRC patients with a history of UC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified patients with UC and followed them until the first occurrence of cancer, death, or emigration in a single study center in China. RESULTS: A total of 4 UC-associated CRC patients were identified among the 642 cases recorded from January 2000 to December 2012. The overall risk of cancer was 0.64%. The overall median duration of UC was 15.5 years (range 6-21 years) in patients with UC-associated CRC. Of these patients, 75% (3/4) were at an advanced stage when they were diagnosed. Longer disease duration and extensive colitis were identified as risk factors for developing CRC, and 5-aminosalicylic acid and steroid therapies were not identified as protective factors against UC-associated CRC. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with UC are at an increased risk for CRC. However, the prevalence of CRC in China remains lower than that in the West.
BACKGROUND:Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer (UC-CRC) is a serious complication of UC. Data on the clinical characteristics of patients in China are scarce. AIMS: We aimed to study the incidence, characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of CRC patients with a history of UC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified patients with UC and followed them until the first occurrence of cancer, death, or emigration in a single study center in China. RESULTS: A total of 4 UC-associated CRC patients were identified among the 642 cases recorded from January 2000 to December 2012. The overall risk of cancer was 0.64%. The overall median duration of UC was 15.5 years (range 6-21 years) in patients with UC-associated CRC. Of these patients, 75% (3/4) were at an advanced stage when they were diagnosed. Longer disease duration and extensive colitis were identified as risk factors for developing CRC, and 5-aminosalicylic acid and steroid therapies were not identified as protective factors against UC-associated CRC. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with UC are at an increased risk for CRC. However, the prevalence of CRC in China remains lower than that in the West.