Crohn's disease and colorectal malignancy

There has been much debate over the past 50 years concerning the association between colorectal carcinoma and inflammatory bowel disease. Until recently, it was widely accepted there was a higher risk in those with widespread ulcerative colitis. However, evidence now suggests an almost equal incidence in those with Crohn's disease of similar extent and duration. We present a case that underlines the important clinical and pathological features of Crohn's disease associated colorectal carcinoma (CDAC). We present a literature review and debate the role of regular colonic surveillance in patients with Crohn's disease affecting the colon.