Colorectal cancer in Crohn’s disease: a series of 6 cases

Abstract

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most malignant complication in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). We report 6 cases of CD-related CRC treated surgically at our hospital. Case presentation From 2010 to 2016, six CD patients were diagnosed with CRC. All patients were diagnosed with CD at 10 years (range, 15–42 years) in all patients. The histological type of cancer was mucinous carcinoma in two cases, well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma in two cases, and moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma in two cases. CRC was detected by screening colonoscopy in three cases (50%), and from clinical symptoms in the remaining three cases (50%). Two cases underwent colonoscopy within 2 months after symptom onset, detecting CRC in the relatively early stage. However, one case was diagnosed with advanced-stage CRC by endoscopy 1 year after symptom onset, and experienced poor prognosis. Conclusions Regular surveillance colonoscopy is needed to detect early-stage CRC in CD patients. Clear surveillance methods need to be established based on evidence.

Keywords

• Crohn’s disease
• Colorectal cancer
• Surveillance