General question which I have always wondered

[RickUK]

It's well documented having Crohns increases your chance of gettin colorectal cancer (by how much im not sure, guess it is a low amount) but has anyone ever known anyone to actually get cancer after getting crohns?

(Sorry for the morbid post)

 

[Robrich]

Actually it doesn't uc yes cd no
Recheck your documentation

 

[DJW]

I've seen a few different numbers. Most of the breakdown is for colorectal cancer in UC. (3.6%). The % increases with time. The longer you've had it the greater the risk. Survalance colonoscopies are important. Small bowel cancer is very rare.

The biggest risk for developing cancer is in under treated or untreated IBD.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Actually it doesn't uc yes cd no
Recheck your documentation

It can affect either patient it's a matter of disease and disease duration in the colon. If a crohns patient has an inflamed colon they are at increased risk as well.

 

[DJW]

Nogutsnoglory you are correct.

 

[Robrich]

It can affect either patient it's a matter of disease and disease duration in the colon. If a crohns patient has an inflamed colon they are at increased risk as well.

I stand corrected, maybe
I see lots of literature with the same concern chronic inflammation colon or elsewhere leads to cancer.
But do you have real stats?
I don't find anywhere in this forum of any discussion or someone saying they had CRC.
I HAVE CROHNS FOR 50 years. No cancer so far.
For the first 18 I was DX UC. BACK THEN IN THE 70s several docs told me I had a50% chance of CRC over I think 25 years and advised removing colon as prophylaxis.
That's 50 %chance not increased risk. Quite scary. I convinced myself I was in the 50% group that didn't get it.

After I was re DX as crohns cancer was never really discussed docs said not a real concern and if you asked how much risk they would shrug their shoulders.
So I think maybe it's more theoretical than actual and probably slightly higher but nothing like 50% like they used to say for UC.
I apologize to the OP FOR MY TART RESPONSE AND I WILL REITERATE HIS REQUEST ANYOne KNOW ANYONE WITH CROHNS WHO GOT CRC?
Meanwhile the cancer risks are far greater from the immune suppressors we take and don't we have enough to worry about already?

 

[DJW]

I get a lot of my info from the following medical books.

Pocket Guide to IBD. By various GI specialists

Curbside Consultation in IBD. By various GI specialists.

I do not know of anyone with crohns who got CRC. Proper treatment and survalance colonoscopies are key to preventing CRC.

 

[VeganOstomy]

I've known several people with IBD who've had pre-cancerous polyps, but they are removed as they are discovered. I'd imagine that someone who doesn't have regular follow-ups with their GI are at higher risk because they miss the chance of stopping cancer before it develops.

 

[Liquid Bacon]

Even if we have a higher chance of getting cancer, I'd say we also have a higher chance of catching it early and surviving because we're being monitored for Crohn's. For example, I have to do a colonoscopy every year and bloodwork every 3 months.

 

[DJW]

I'll look up the numbers but my understanding is the cancer risk is still higher for IBD sufferers who are untreated or under treat inflammation, than the risk of cancer from immune suppression from medication.

It may take some time, I need to visit the medical library at McMaster University.