Prevalence of colorectal cancer in patients with ulcerative colitis: A retrospective, monocenter study in China

Background: Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer (UC-CRC) is a serious complication of UC. Data on the clinical characteristics of patients in China are scarce. Aims: We aimed to study the incidence, characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of CRC patients with a history of UC. Materials and Methods: We identified patients with UC and followed them until the first occurrence of cancer, death, or emigration in a single study center in China. Results: A total of 4 UC-associated CRC patients were identified among the 642 cases recorded from January 2000 to December 2012. The overall risk of cancer was 0.64%. The overall median duration of UC was 15.5 years (range 6-21 years) in patients with UC-associated CRC. Of these patients, 75% (3/4) were at an advanced stage when they were diagnosed. Longer disease duration and extensive colitis were identified as risk factors for developing CRC, and 5-aminosalicylic acid and steroid therapies were not identified as protective factors against UC-associated CRC. Conclusions: Patients with UC are at an increased risk for CRC. However, the prevalence of CRC in China remains lower than that in the West.