Reduction of colorectal cancer risk in patients with Crohn's disease

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-either Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC)-are at increased risk for developing cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC). Because of the relative rarity of IBD in the general population, it has been difficult to quantify this risk; nonetheless, within particular subsets of IBD patients, the cumulative risk of developing dysplasia and CRC may be substantial. Efforts to reduce this risk have included both prophylactic surgery and endoscopic screening programs. Despite the impact this disease has on quality of life and life expectancy, an optimal strategy for reducing the risk has yet to be defined. This article reviews the current literature relating to the risk of cancer for patients with IBD and methods available to help reduce this risk.