Lymphoma in inflammatory bowel disease and treatment decisions

The risk of lymphoma, particularly non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is an important concern associated with therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Lymphoma risks have been described for nearly all immunomodulatory therapies for IBD, and it is therefore important to have discussions with patients before initiating therapy. However, it is also important to put risks into contexts that IBD patients can appropriately appreciate. Relative risks can appear large for these medications, while, by contrast, the absolute risk may be quite low. Additionally, understanding the risks of foregoing immunomodulatory therapy--specifically, continued active disease and/or continued corticosteroid use--can frame an appropriate risk-benefit discussion for both patients and physicians.