title: Ulcerative colitis six years after colon cancer: only a coincidence?
abstract: The association between inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer is well known. Ulcerative colitis is a risk factor for the development of colorectal cancer, and this risk increases with the activity and duration of bowel inflammation. Here we describe the case of a 52-year-old man who developed ulcerative colitis 6 years after the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer. Although this could be a coincidence, there could be additional possibilities, like pre-existence of quiescent colitis, late effect of therapy, or maybe the existence of common pathogenetic factors contributing to the development of ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Minas
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakellakis
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Makatsoris
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University, Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gkermpesi
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peroukidis
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Haralabos
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kalofonos
keywords: cancer; colitis; colorectal; inflammation; ulcerative