The incidence of colon carcinoma complicating ulcerative colitis

The tendency for development of cancer in patients with ulcerative colitis is well documented. Each physician must take into account the clinical presentation of the patient and the known risk factors and must adapt follow-up and consultation to the patient and family accordingly. Presently, after a 5- to 7-year history of ulcerative colitis, it is reasonable to document mucosal changes with air-contrast barium enema examination and laboratory assessment with carcinoembryonic antigen levels being obtained. If the extent of disease is more limited to the distal colon, then the surveillance should be modified accordingly because the relative risk is reduced. In the future, the addition of histochemical and immunohistologic analysis of mucosal biopsies will result in better criteria for patient selection for surgical intervention. Because of the delay in recognition of a cancerous lesion in patients with ulcerative colitis, a total proctocolectomy is recommended by some after the first decade of disease. Most prefer, however, to continue surveillance of some type. During surveillance, if moderate or severe dysplasia is found, a proctocolectomy should be performed. This mode of surveillance and treatment of patients at risk for developing colonic carcinoma subsequent to ulcerative colitis remains an evolving process. There will be further changes in management following better classification of the neoplastic changes and the discovery of the etiology of the disease process itself.