Ulcerative colitis and cancer of the colon
The chance of developing cancer of the large intestine (colon) is higher than average in people who have had UC for several years or more. It is more of a risk if you have frequent flare-ups affecting the whole of the large intestine. For example, about 1 in 10 people who have UC for 20 years which affects much of their large intestine will develop cancer.
Because of this risk, people with UC are usually advised to have their large intestine routinely checked after having had UC for about 8-10 years. This involves a look into the large intestine by a flexible telescope (colonoscopy) every now and then. Your specialist will advise exactly how often you should have this test. Commonly, a colonoscopy is routinely done every three years in people who have had UC for 10-20 years, every two years in people who have had UC for 20-30 years, and every year in people who have had UC for 30 or more years.
In most cases, any changes are noticed from biopsies (small samples) taken during colonoscopy long before any cancer develops. (This is a similar principle to cervical smear testing in women.) If changes are found, surgery to remove the large intestine is advised to prevent cancer developing.
Recent studies indicate that the risk of cancer is likely to be reduced in people who take regular long-term 5-aminosalicylate medication (described above).
What is inflammatory bowel disease?
When doctors talk of 'inflammatory bowel disease' they usually mean people who either have UC or Crohn's disease. Both of these conditions can cause inflammation of the large intestine with similar symptoms such as bloody diarrhoea, etc. Although these conditions are similar, and treatments are similar, there are differences. For example, the inflammation of UC tends to be just in the inner lining of the intestine, whereas the inflammation of Crohn's disease can spread through the whole wall of the intestine. Also, UC only affects the large intestine whereas Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gut. There is a separate leaflet that gives more detail about Crohn's disease.
However, about 1 in 20 patients with 'inflammatory bowel disease' affecting the colon cannot be classified as either UC or Crohn's disease because they have some features of both conditions. This is sometimes called indeterminate colitis.
Further information
NACC - National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease ?4 Beaumont House, Sutton Road, St Albans, Herts, AL1 5HH?Tel: 0845 130 2233 Web: www.nacc.org.uk
© EMIS and PIP 2005 Updated: October 2005
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michelle roberts, about 1 year
mine is a question more than comment. How does smoking affect colitis and what syptoms can be suffered if smoking is a rproblem I have a friend who has sufferd colitis for about 14 years so far and i am worried of the effects his smoking causes with regard to the section on colitis and cancer of the bowel. I would apreciate your advice on this matter any any imformation you can give. to be helpful. He only smokes up to yen or so a day and not every day but i have watched him suffer after a night out when he has smoked more than he usually would which suggests that the smoking makes the matter much worse. Thank you M Roberts
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