Risk of colorectal cancer in inflammatory bowel diseases

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic problems of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) with poorly understood aetiology. Patients with any of the two common entities, Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UD) have significant increased risk of gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal malignancies. Particularly, the colorectal cancer (CRC) and lymphomas are the most frequently associated cancers with IBD. Although the incidence of CRC has declined in the European countries during last 30 years yet the risk among IBD patients remains higher than the healthy people. In the present study, we have described many common factors influencing the onset and advancement of IBD and CRC including the alterations in gut microbiota, changes in the interleukin pathways and tumour necrosis factor. The other common factors are patient age, race, genetics, family history, diet composition, obesity and level of vitamins and minerals in the body. These multiple factors contribute to the higher incidence of CRC among IBD patients.

Keywords: Colorectal; Crohn’s disease; Gastrointestinal tract; Inflammatory; Ulcerative colitis.