Cancer risk factors identified in bowel disease

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Cancer risk factors identified in bowel disease

Thu May 3, 2007

NEW YORK -

People with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are known to be at increased

risk for colon cancer and, in a new study, researchers identify some of the

factors that raise the risk.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are collectively known

as inflammatory bowel diseases. With Crohn's disease

the inflammation typically involves the small intestine, but it can affect any

part of the gastrointestinal tract, whereas with ulcerative colitis, the

disease is usually confined to the colon and rectum.

As reported in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, Dr.

V. Loftus of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester,

Minnesota and colleagues studied 43

inflammatory bowel diseases patients with colon tumors and 102 similar patients

without tumors.

The authors identified several factors that raise the risk of

colon cancer in these patients. The presence of

primary sclerosis cholangitis, a disease involving

scarring of the bile ducts inside and outside the liver, raised the risk by

nearly sevenfold.

Frequent disease flare-ups and 1 year or more of continuous

symptoms increased the risk as well, the authors note.

" The findings, " continued Loftus, " fit in

nicely with emerging data that the degree of chronic inflammation of the colon

is a risk factor for...cancer in the setting of inflammatory bowel diseases. It also confirms previous work that primary sclerosing cholangitis is an

important risk factor. "

Unfortunately, frequent physician visits did not lower the

risk of developing cancer. Furthermore, Loftus added,

" We had expected to see a protective effect of (certain) medications and

colonoscopy, but did not. "

Barb in Texas - Together in the Fight, Whatever it Takes!

Son Ken (33) UC 91 - PSC 99 Listed 7/21 @ Baylor Dallas