Colon carcinoma in patients undergoing liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Organ recipients are at risk for certain neoplasms. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is itself a strong risk factor for the development of colon carcinoma (CCa). Transplant patients with UC might be at higher risk for CCa. We analyzed these patients to compare the incidence and pattern of CCa development in these and non-UC patients following liver transplantation (OLTX).


METHODS
Retrospective study of 1,085 OLTX patients.


RESULTS
In 1,022 patients without UC, 1 patient (< 0.1%) developed adenocarcinoma in a colonic polyp 46 months after OLTX. Sixty-three of 108 (60%) patients undergoing OLTX simultaneously had UC. Five OLTX patients (8%) with UC developed colon adenocarcinoma 22 to 66 (mean 48) months after OLTX. Two have died.


CONCLUSIONS
Coexistent UC in patients requiring OLTX constitutes a potentially high risk for the development of colonic cancer, a late-appearing event. These patients require close observation and frequent colonoscopic/histologic screening of the colon.
Baylor University Medical Center, Transplantation Services, Dallas, Texas 75246, USA.
R
R
Fabia
M F
MF
Levy
G
G
Testa
S
S
Obiekwe
R M
RM
Goldstein
B S
BS
Husberg
T A
TA
Gonwa
G B
GB
Klintmalm
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015209:Cholangitis, Sclerosing / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology