Cancer Risk in Extensive Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Patients (234) with extensive ulcerative colitis from the city of Goteborg, Sweden, were followed up and the cumulative risk of development of cancer of the large bowel was estimated. These patients constitute all persons in this region who developed an extensive ulcerative colitis between 1951 and 1974. All patients were followed up until Dec. 1975. The mean observation time was 8.5 yr, median value 6 yr. Of fifteen patients who developed carcinoma of the large bowel, 5 were still alive in Dec. 1975. The expected number of colorectal carcinomas in a matched reference group was 0.49. The cumulative incidence of carcinoma 25 yr after the onset of colitis for the whole group of patients was 34% and for those who developed the disease before 25 yr of age it was 43%.