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Cancer surveillance in ulcerative colitis: critical analysis of long-term prospective programme
G Biasco1, F P Rossini, R Hakim
1Institute of Haematology and Oncology, L. e A Seràgnoli and Interdipartimental Centre for Cancer Research G Prodi, University of Bologna, Italy. gbiasco@med.unibo.it
Background:
Patients with longstanding ulcerative colitis are at increased risk of colorectal cancer. In the literature, no agreement has yet been reached regarding prevention strategies. Our report sums up a prospective study started in 1980.
Methods:
A total of 65 patients affected by ulcerative colitis for more than seven years were admitted to a regular colonoscopic and biopsy follow-up programme.
Results:
Some 20 years after the beginning of the study, 23 (35.3%) patients have been operated upon, 2 patients have died but not from cancer 29 (44.66%) patients have abandoned the programme. Only 11 (16.9%) patients have remained under colonoscopic surveillance.
Conclusion:
These results cast some doubts on the significance of such a programme and on its long-term feasibility.