Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that confers a higher risk of cancer than in the general population. New, large, population-based studies in the past decade show that patients with CD are at higher risk of colorectal, small bowel, melanoma, and cervical cancer. Patients who use thiopurines are at additional risk of development of lymphoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Preventive surveillance for cancers of the colorectum, skin, and uterine cervix is advised.
Key points
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Population-based studies show that patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) are at increased risk of cancers of the colorectum, small bowel, skin, lymph nodes, and uterine cervix.
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Intestinal cancers seem to be more common among patients with long-standing and poorly controlled CD; cancers outside the intestines seem to be increased by immunosuppressive therapies.
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Cancers of the colorectum, skin, and uterine cervix are preventable; patients should be counseled on cancer risks and receive tailored cancer surveillance.
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