Inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer: a review

Extensive and long-standing colitis due to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is associated with an increased incidence of colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy with biopsies for mucosal dysplasia can help stratify those patients who are at increased risk. However, the effectiveness of surveillance programs has been questioned. Newer molecular techniques may eventually lead to the development of more accurate screening tools, but at this time there is not enough evidence to support their widespread use.