Colorectal Adenocarcinoma and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: An Update and Review

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two illnesses Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) that are characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation. The disease progression of IBD is heterogeneous, as is the response of individual patients to different treatments. Typically IBD and the resultant inflammation cause a combination of abdominal pain, diarrhea, intestinal bleeding, weight loss, malabsorption and nutritional deficiencies. The onset of IBD is greatest in early adulthood, with peak incidence among those aged 18 to 35 [1]. Diagnosis at this stage of life has a significant impact on employment and psychosocial functioning of the affected. Up to 25% of cases of IBD are diagnosed during childhood [2]. There are approximately 1.4 million Americans living with IBD, with a prevalence of 201 and 238 per 100,000 for CD and UC respectively [3]. Medical costs for each IBD patient in the United States is estimated to be over $18 000 per year [4].