Rectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease: natural history and implications for radiation therapy

Safety of Pelvic and Abdominal Radiation Therapy for Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Dosimetric Analysis of Acute Bowel Toxicity

PURPOSE

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been considered a relative contraindication to radiation therapy (RT) because of the potential greater risk of RT-induced toxicities. This study aimed to assess acute toxicity outcomes in patients with IBD treated with abdominal/pelvic RT.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

After institutional review board approval, patients with IBD who received RT to the abdomen/pelvis were identified from an institutional research repository, and their electronic medical records were reviewed. The IBD cohort was matched 1:1 with controls according to all of the following: RT, gender, disease site, age, and year of RT. Acute toxicity was defined as toxicity occurring within 3 months of RT. Primary outcomes were assessed via univariable logistic regression models and the predicted probability of acute toxicity and acute gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity were plotted for the most significant covariates. IBD and control cohorts were compared on demographic and toxicity variables using χ2/Fisher exact tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests where appropriate.

RESULTS

We identified 62 patients with a median age of 64 years (IQR, 54-70 years) who received RT from 2006 to 2022. Patients were treated with intensity modulated RT (38; 61.3%), 3-dimensional conformal RT (12; 19.4%), and stereotactic body RT/brachytherapy (12; 19.4%). After RT, 28 (45.2%) and 23 (37.1%) patients experienced grade ≥2 acute (any) and acute GI toxicity, respectively. Higher overall RT dose and RT dose to small bowel were found to be significantly associated with increased risk of grade ≥2 acute toxicities (OR, 1.041 per unit Gy; 95% CI, 1.005-1.084; P = .034 and OR, 1.046; 95% CI, 1.018-1.082; P = .003, respectively). Between IBD and control cohorts, there were no significant differences in grade ≥2 acute (any) and acute GI toxicities (P = .710 and P = .704, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with IBD treated with abdominal/pelvic RT for malignancy, RT was effective and well-tolerated. RT treatment planning should carefully consider the location(s) of IBD inflammation and dose to bowel structures, in particular, dose to the small bowel.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), are at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). However, advancements in endoscopic imaging techniques, integrated surveillance programs, and improved medical therapies have led to a decrease in the incidence of CRC among IBD patients. Currently, the management of patients with IBD who have a history of or ongoing active malignancy is an unmet need. This involves balancing the risk of cancer recurrence/progression with the potential exacerbation of IBD if the medications are discontinued. The objective of this review is to provide an updated summary of the epidemiology, causes, risk factors, and surveillance approaches for CRC in individuals with IBD, and to offer practical guidance on managing IBD patients with history of previous or active cancer.

Rectal Cancer and Radiation in Colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. When IBD patients develop a rectal cancer, this should be treated with the same oncological principles and guidelines as the general population. Rectal cancer treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy (RT). Many IBD patients will require a total proctocolectomy with an ileal-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) and others, restoration of intestinal continuity may not be feasible or advisable. The literature is scarce regarding outcomes of IPAA after RT. In the present review, we will summarize the evidence regarding RT toxicity in IBD patients and review surgical strategies and outcomes of IPAA after RT.

Characteristics and outcomes of rectal cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a single-center experience

The increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been well documented in the literature. The present study aimed to assess the characteristics and outcomes of rectal cancer in patients with IBD. This study was a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained IRB-approved database at Cleveland Clinic Florida. Rectal cancer patients with or without IBD treated with curative surgery between 2016 and 2020 were compared for demographics, disease characteristics, and pathologic and oncologic outcomes. The primary outcomes were 3-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Secondary outcomes were clinicopathologic outcomes including disease stage, tumor histology and histologic features, and treatments received. 238 patients with rectal cancer were included, 15 (6.3%) of whom had IBD. IBD patients were significantly younger (52.9 vs 60.3 years, p = 0.033), presented more often with cT1-2 tumors (64.3% vs 30.4%, p = 0.008), and signet-ring cell pathology (14.3% vs 2%, p = 0.02). IBD patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiation less often (40% vs 72.6%, p = 0.029) and had shorter time between diagnosis and surgery (7.5 vs 25 weeks, p = 0.013) than did non-IBD patients. Both groups had similar OS (36 vs 34.7 months, p = 0.431) and DFS (36 vs 32.9 months, p = 0.121). IBD patients with rectal cancer tend to present at a younger age, with a less invasive disease, and signet-ring carcinomas, and receive neoadjuvant treatment less often than non-IBD patients. Based on low level of evidence, IBD and non-IBD rectal cancer patients might have similar survival.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment in Cancer Patients-A Comprehensive Review

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease for which medical treatment with immunomodulating drugs is increasingly used earlier to prevent disability. Additionally, cancer occurrence in IBD patients is increased for several reasons, either IBD-related or therapy-associated. Doctors are therefore facing the challenge of managing patients with IBD and a past or current malignancy and the need to balance the risk of cancer recurrence associated with immunosuppressive drugs with the potential worsening of IBD activity if they are withdrawn. This review aims to explore the features of different subtypes of cancer occurring in IBD patients to present current evidence on malignancy recurrence risk associated with IBD medical therapy along with the effects of cancer treatment in IBD and finally to discuss current recommendations on the management of these patients. Due to sparse data, a case-by-case multidisciplinary discussion is advised, including inputs from the gastroenterologist, oncologist, and patient.

The Optimal Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Patients with Cancer

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of cancer secondary to chronic inflammation and long-term use of immunosuppressive therapy. With the aging IBD population, the prevalence of cancer in IBD patients is increasing. As a result, there is increasing concern about the impact of IBD therapy on cancer risk and survival, as well as the effects of cancer therapies on the disease course of IBD. Managing IBD in patients with current or previous cancer is challenging since clinical guidelines are based mainly on expert consensus. Evidence is rare and mainly available from registries or observational studies. In contrast, excluding patients with previous/or active cancer from clinical trials and short-term follow-up can lead to an underestimation of the cancer or cancer recurrence risk of approved medications. The present narrative review aims to summarize the current evidence and provide practical guidance on the management of IBD patients with cancer.

Rectal Cancer and Diabetes Relationship: An Evidence-Based Overview for Healthcare Providers

As the third most frequently diagnosed cancer through the worldwide, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause and account for around 8% of all cancer-related death. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and inflammation due to deficiency in insulin secretion or dysregulation of the insulin action pathway, which further leads to dysfunction and failure of multiple organs. Many advances have been made in the diagnosis and management of rectal cancer. Although colorectal cancer survival is severely dependent on the stage of disease at diagnosis, it might also be influenced by several risk factors. The relationship between colorectal cancer and diabetes is a complex one and can raise problems in both diagnosis and the management of patients with both conditions. Metabolic pathways of the type II diabetes, glucose intolerance and obesity can be considered as a link to rectal cancer. This article provides not just an overview of the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of CRC and DM, but also highlights of CRC and DM relationship.

Management of Low Rectal Cancer Complicating Ulcerative Colitis: Proposal of a Treatment Algorithm

Simple Summary

This article expresses the viewpoint of the authors’ management of low rectal cancer in ulcerative colitis (UC). This subject suffers from a paucity of literature and therefore management decision is very difficult to take. The aim of this paper is to provide a structured approach to a challenging situation. It is subdivided into two parts: a first part where the existing literature is reviewed critically, and a second part in which, on the basis of the literature review and their extensive clinical experience, a management algorithm is proposed by the authors to offer guidance to surgical and oncological practices. This text adds to the literature a useful guide for the treatment of these complex clinical scenarios.

Abstract

Low rectal Carcinoma arising at the background of Ulcerative Colitis poses significant management challenges to the clinicians. The complex decision-making requires discussion at the multidisciplinary team meeting. The published literature is scarce, and there are significant variations in the management of such patients. We reviewed treatment protocols and operative strategies; with the aim of providing a practical framework for the management of low rectal cancer complicating UC. A practical treatment algorithm is proposed.

Challenges in Crohn's Disease Management after Gastrointestinal Cancer Diagnosis

Simple Summary

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting both young and elderly patients, involving the entire gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to anus. The chronic transmural inflammation can lead to several complications, among which gastrointestinal cancers represent one of the most life-threatening, with a higher risk of onset as compared to the general population. Moreover, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in this subset of patients still represent a significant challenge for physicians. Thus, the aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current evidence for an adequate diagnostic pathway and medical and surgical management of CD patients after gastrointestinal cancer onset.

Abstract

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with a progressive course, potentially affecting the entire gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus. Several studies have shown an increased risk of both intestinal and extra-intestinal cancer in patients with CD, due to long-standing transmural inflammation and damage accumulation. The similarity of symptoms among CD, its related complications and the de novo onset of gastrointestinal cancer raises difficulties in the differential diagnosis. In addition, once a cancer diagnosis in CD patients is made, selecting the appropriate treatment can be particularly challenging. Indeed, both surgical and oncological treatments are not always the same as that of the general population, due to the inflammatory context of the gastrointestinal tract and the potential exacerbation of gastrointestinal symptoms of patients with CD; moreover, the overlap of the neoplastic disease could lead to adjustments in the pharmacological treatment of the underlying CD, especially with regard to immunosuppressive drugs. For these reasons, a case-by-case analysis in a multidisciplinary approach is often appropriate for the best diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation of patients with CD after gastrointestinal cancer onset.

Should inflammatory bowel disease be a contraindication to radiation therapy: a systematic review of acute and late toxicities

Background:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [i.e., Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC)] has been considered a relative contraindication for radiation therapy (RT) to the abdomen or pelvis, potentially preventing patients with a diagnosis of IBD from receiving definitive therapy for their malignancy.

Method:

Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) conventions, a PubMed/MEDLINE literature search was conducted using the keywords RT, brachytherapy, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and toxicity.

Results:

A total of 1,206 publications were screened with an addition of 8 studies identified through hand searching. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria for quantitative analysis. The total population across all studies was 497 patients, 50·5% having UC, 37% having CD and an additional 12·5% having unspecified IBD. Primary gastrointestinal malignancy (55%) followed by prostate cancer (40%) composed the bulk of the population. Acute and late grade 3 or greater gastrointestinal specific toxicity ranged from 0–23% to 0–13% respectively for those patients with IBD treated with RT to the abdomen or pelvis. In the literature reviewed, RT does not appear to increase fistula or stricture formation or IBD flares; however, one study did note RT to be a statistically significant risk factor for subsequent IBD flare on multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

A review of reported acute and late toxicities suggests that patients with IBD should still be considered for definitive radiotherapy. Patient characteristics including IBD distribution relative to the irradiated field, inflammatory activity at the time of radiation, overall disease severity and disease phenotype in the case of CD (fistulising versus stricturing versus inflammatory only) should be considered on an individual basis when evaluating potential patients. When possible, advanced techniques with strict organ at risk dose constraints should be employed to limit toxicity in this patient population.

The Complex Interplay Between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Malignancy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Both the chronic inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and its treatment, can increase the risk of malignancy. There is also an increasing number of patients with current and prior cancer who require IBD treatment. Thus, there is a complex interplay between immunosuppressive treatment and monitoring for new and recurrent cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

Vedolizumab and ustekinumab have not been shown to increase the risk of malignancy. Transplant data shows a potential risk with tofacitinib although rheumatoid arthritis data does not. IBD patients have been shown to tolerate chemotherapy, specifically with cytotoxic compared with hormonal chemotherapy. Patients with prior cancer are at increased risk of new or recurrent cancers; however, immunosuppression appears to be safe. Emerging treatments for IBD have demonstrated acceptable safety profiles for malignancy risk, and immunosuppression appears to be safe for use in patients with current and prior malignancy. More data is still needed to assess long-term risk of malignancy in these patients, especially with newer treatments.

Practical guidance for the management of inflammatory bowel disease in patients with cancer. Which treatment?

Clinicians involved in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increasingly come across patients with current or previous history of malignancies. With increasing and earlier use of immunosuppression and biologics in IBD patients, the question arises whether these treatments further increase the risk of new or recurrent cancers. A number of population-based observational studies have now reported the odds of development of new or recurrent cancers with thiopurines and antitumour necrosis factors (anti-TNFs). These data combined with data arising from treatment registries from other immune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis are providing evidence of relative risks and safety profiles of these agents in the setting of active or prior cancer. Data from transplant literature give an indication for providing a drug-holiday period in patients with treated cancers. The risks of the treatment should be considered alongside the risk associated with withholding these effective treatments in patients with active IBD. In this review, we aim to summarize the current evidence in this area and provide a practical guidance.

[Radiation therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. A review]

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are multifactorial diseases characterized by a chronic intestinal inflammation. Abdominal and pelvic irradiation can result in acute or chronic digestive toxicity. A few old studies on small population samples have suggested an increase of gastro-intestinal toxicities in patients with IBD in case of irradiation. Nevertheless, the physiopathology is unknown. More recent studies, including new irradiation techniques, have shown less toxicity events in these patients with IBD. There are no recommendations for irradiation in patients with IBD. This review aims to report recent data on this topic and discuss them regarding radiation parameters.

Acute toxicity and surgical complications after preoperative (chemo)radiation therapy for rectal cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

PURPOSE

Preoperative therapy reduces local recurrences and may facilitate surgery in rectal cancer patients. However, in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) this treatment is often withheld due to the perceived risk of excessive side-effects, even though evidence is limited. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of preoperative therapy on acute toxicity and post-operative complications in IBD patients with rectal cancer.

METHODS

The Dutch pathology registry (PALGA) was searched for patients with IBD and rectal cancer treated between January 1991 and May 2010. Histopathology and clinical charts were reviewed to confirm IBD diagnosis and evaluate clinical and pathological characteristics.

RESULTS

Out of 161 patients, 66 received preoperative therapy (41%), including short-course radiation therapy (SC-RT), long course radiation therapy (LC-RT), and chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in 32, 13, and 21 patients respectively. Grade≥3 acute toxicity occurred in 0 patients (0.0%), 1 patient (7.7%), and 6 patients (28.6%) respectively (p=0.004). Systemic corticosteroids were used by 10.5% of patients at time of treatment. Grade≥3 post-operative 30-day complication rate (28.1% overall) was not associated with type of preoperative therapy.

CONCLUSION

Results did not show excessive rates of toxicity or post-operative complications and support the use of standard preoperative therapies for rectal cancer (especially SC-RT) in IBD patients with relatively indolent disease. Caution is warranted in patients with active IBD, since the exact impact of active bowel inflammation could not be determined retrospectively. Prospective studies should investigate the influence of active IBD on acute and late toxicity in patients receiving pelvic irradiation.

Inflammatory bowel diseases activity in patients undergoing pelvic radiation therapy

BACKGROUND

Few studies with contradictory results have been published on the safety of pelvic radiation therapy (RT) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

From 1989 to 2015, a single center retrospective analysis was performed including all IBD patients who received pelvic external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or brachytherapy (BT) for a pelvic malignancy. Treatment characteristics, IBD activity and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity were examined.

RESULTS

Overall, 28 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) (n=13) or ulcerative colitis (n=15) were included in the present study. Median follow-up time after irradiation was 5.9 years. Regarding IBD activity, only one and two patients experienced a severe episode within and after 6 months of follow-up, respectively. Grade 3/4 acute GI toxicity occurred in 3 (11%) patients, whereas one (3.6%) patient experienced late grade 3/4 GI toxicity. Only patients with rectal IBD location (P=0.016) or low body mass index (BMI) (P=0.012) experienced more severe IBD activity within or after 6 months following RT, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We report an acceptable tolerance of RT in IBD patients with pelvic malignancies. Specifically, a low risk of uncontrolled flare-up was observed.

Chemotherapy Tolerance and Oncologic Outcomes in Patients With Colorectal Cancer With and Without Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, is a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). Chemotherapy toxicity may exacerbate IBD symptoms and vice versa, but data are limited. We evaluated chemotherapy tolerance and oncologic outcomes in patients with CRC with and without IBD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Medical records of patients with CRC with and without IBD treated between 2008 and 2013 were reviewed. Where possible, patients were matched by age, sex, stage, and diagnosis year. Chemotherapy tolerance and survival outcomes were compared between patients with IBD and without IBD.

RESULTS

A total of 158 subjects with CRC were included: 80 patients had IBD and 78 matched control patients did not have IBD. Between cases and controls, there were no significant differences in demographic data, stage of CRC, and cancer treatments, with equivalent numbers of patients receiving surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Patients with IBD experienced more CRC treatment alterations than those without IBD (74% vs. 44%, P = .03), largely due to a higher frequency of treatment delays among patients with IBD. Differences in stage-specific 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with and without IBD were not significant, except for stage IV patients with IBD who had significantly shorter OS than those without IBD. Patients with histologically active IBD did not require more chemotherapy alterations than patients with inactive IBD.

CONCLUSION

In this series, patients with CRC with IBD experienced more treatment alterations (mostly delays) than those without IBD. Patients with stage IV CRC with IBD had shorter survival than patients without IBD.

Low Toxicity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Treated With Abdominal and Pelvic Radiation Therapy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the short-term and long-term toxicity of abdominal and pelvic radiation therapy in a cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We hypothesize that with newer techniques, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), patients with IBD can safely undergo abdominal and pelvic radiation, with low risk for major acute or late toxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nineteen consecutive patients with IBD (14 with ulcerative colitis, 5 with Crohn disease) who were treated with abdominal or pelvic external beam radiation therapy at Stanford University from 1997 to 2011 were identified. Fourteen patients were treated with IMRT and 5 were treated with 3D-CRT. Treated sites included prostate (n=8), gastric/esophageal (n=5), rectal/anal (n=3), and liver (n=3) tumors. Charts were reviewed and toxicity was graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Acute Events version 4.0. Median follow-up was 32.5 months. Fisher exact test was used to determine if any clinical and/or treatment factors were associated with toxicity outcomes.

RESULTS

Acute grade ≥3 toxicity occurred in 2 patients (11%). Late grade ≥3 toxicity occurred in 1 patient (6%). Acute grade ≥2 toxicity occurred in 28% of patients treated with IMRT versus 100% of patients treated with 3D-CRT (P=0.01). Acute grade ≥2 gastrointestinal toxicity was lower in patients treated with IMRT versus 3D-CRT (14% vs. 100%, respectively, P=0.002). Late grade ≥2 toxicity occurred in 21% of patients. Higher total dose (Gy) and biologically effective dose (Gy) were associated with increased rates of late grade ≥2 toxicity (P=0.02 and 0.03, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that select patients with IBD can safely undergo abdominal and pelvic radiation therapy. The use of IMRT was associated with decreased acute toxicity. Acute and late severe toxicity rates were low in this patient population with the use of modern radiation techniques.

Acute and Late Bowel Toxicity in Radiotherapy Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review

AIMS

Inflammatory bowel disease has traditionally been considered a relative contraindication for radiotherapy due to a perceived increased risk of disease exacerbation and bowel toxicity. The aim of this review was to evaluate the current literature regarding rates of radiotherapy-induced acute and late bowel toxicity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and to compare these data with those of patients without the disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An Ovid Medline search was conducted to identify original articles pertaining to the review question. Using the PRISMA convention a total of 442 articles screened, resulting 8 articles which were suitable for inclusion in the review.

RESULTS

In general, the grading of toxicity was scored using either the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group or Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events scoring systems. It was found that acute bowel toxicity of ≥ grade 3 occurred in 20% of patients receiving external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and in 7% of patients receiving brachytherapy. Late bowel toxicity ≥ grade 3 occurred in 15% of EBRT patients and in 5% of patients receiving brachytherapy. Brachytherapy was shown to have similar rates of toxicity and EBRT produced a moderate increase in both acute and late toxicity when compared with individuals without inflammatory bowel disease.

CONCLUSION

In view of these results, we suggest that brachytherapy should be considered as a suitable treatment option for treating pelvic malignancy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, whereas EBRT should be used with caution.

Evaluating toxicity from definitive radiation therapy for prostate cancer in men with inflammatory bowel disease: Patient selection and dosimetric parameters with modern treatment techniques

PURPOSE

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is considered a contraindication to abdominopelvic radiation therapy (RT). We examined our experience in men with IBD who were treated with definitive RT for prostate cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We queried our institutional database for patients with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, or IBD not otherwise specified. Endpoints were: acute and late ≥grade 2 (G2) GI toxicity and IBD flare after RT. Outcomes were compared with controls using propensity scoring matched 3 to 1. We matched controls to the IBD cohort according to: RT technique, RT dose, risk group, hormone use, treatment year, and age. We determined predictors of acute outcomes using the Fisher exact test and time to outcomes using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Between 1990 and 2010, 84 men were included. Sixty-three men served as matched controls and 21 with IBD: 13 ulcerative colitis, 7 Crohn disease, and 1 IBD not otherwise specified. For men with IBD, median age was 69 years, and median follow-up was 49 months. Median flare-free interval before RT was 10 years. Seven were taking IBD medications during RT. There was no difference in acute or late gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity in the IBD group versus controls. Among IBD patients, IBD medication use was the only predictor of acute ≥G2 GI toxicity: 57.1% with medication versus7.7% without (49.4% absolute difference, 95% confidence interval [CI] 10.0%-88.9%, P = .03). The 5-year risk of late GI toxicity in men with IBD versus controls was not statistically significant (hazard ratio = 1.19, 95%CI 0.28-5.01, P = .83). The crude incidence of late ≥G2 GI toxicity was 10%.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute GI toxicity appears to be exacerbated in patients on concomitant medical therapy for IBD. Overall, late GI toxicity was relatively low and not significantly different between patients with IBD versus no IBD. However, the small sample size limits the interpretation of our estimates and the wide confidence intervals indicate these patients warrant careful selection.

Non-colorectal intestinal tract carcinomas in inflammatory bowel disease: results of the 3rd ECCO Pathogenesis Scientific Workshop (II)

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have an excess risk of certain gastrointestinal cancers. Much work has focused on colon cancer in IBD patients, but comparatively less is known about other more rare cancers. The European Crohn's and Colitis Organization established a pathogenesis workshop to review what is known about these cancers and formulate proposals for future studies to address the most important knowledge gaps. This article reviews the current state of knowledge about small bowel adenocarcinoma, ileo-anal pouch and rectal cuff cancer, and anal/perianal fistula cancers in IBD patients.

Chemoradiotherapy followed by restorative proctocolectomy with partial intersphincteric resection for advanced rectal cancer associated with ulcerative colitis: report of a case

The role of restorative proctocolectomy with ileal J-pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is uncertain for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), when advanced lower rectal cancer is diagnosed. We report what to our knowledge is the first documented case of successful preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by IPAA with partial intersphincteric resection of advanced rectal cancer associated with UC. A 59-year-old woman with a 24-year history of extensive UC was found to have advanced rectal cancer located 2 cm from the anal verge. She underwent preoperative conventional chemoradiotherapy followed by restorative proctocolectomy with total mesorectal excision. The procedure included intersphincteric resection of one quadrant and construction of an IPAA with diverting ileostomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the ileostomy was closed 6 months after the initial surgery. The patient was doing well with good pouch function and no evidence of recurrent disease 1 year after her initial surgery.

Gastrointestinal radiation injury: Symptoms, risk factors and mechanisms

Ionising radiation therapy is a common treatment modality for different types of cancer and its use is expected to increase with advances in screening and early detection of cancer. Radiation injury to the gastrointestinal tract is important factor working against better utility of this important therapeutic modality. Cancer survivors can suffer a wide variety of acute and chronic symptoms following radiotherapy, which significantly reduces their quality of life as well as adding an extra burden to the cost of health care. The accurate diagnosis and treatment of intestinal radiation injury often represents a clinical challenge to practicing physicians in both gastroenterology and oncology. Despite the growing recognition of the problem and some advances in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of radiation injury, relatively little is known about the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal radiation injury or any possible susceptibility factors that could aggravate its severity. The aims of this review are to examine the various clinical manifestations of post-radiation gastrointestinal symptoms, to discuss possible patient and treatment factors implicated in normal gastrointestinal tissue radiosensitivity and to outline different mechanisms of intestinal tissue injury.

Nonfistulizing perianal Crohn's disease: clinical features, epidemiology, and treatment

Nonfistulizing perianal lesions, including ulcerations, strictures, and anal carcinoma, are frequently observed in Crohn's disease. Their clinical course remains poorly known. The management of these lesions is difficult because none of the treatments used is evidence-based. Ulcerations may be symptomatic in up to 85% of patients. Most ulcerations heal spontaneously but may also progress to anal stenosis or fistula/abscess. Topical treatments only improve symptoms, while complete healing can occur in patients with perianal ulcerations receiving infliximab therapy. Half of all patients with anal strictures will require permanent fecal diversion. Dilatation for symptomatic strictures should be performed on a highly selective basis in the absence of active rectal disease in order to avoid infectious complications. Anorectal strictures associated with rectal lesions should first be managed with medical therapy. Skin tags are usually painless and may hide other perianal lesions. Anal cancer is uncommon. Its treatment is similar to that recommended for anal cancer occurring in non-Crohn's disease patients. After reviewing the classification, clinical features, and epidemiology of each type of nonfistulizing perianal lesion (ulceration, stricture, skin tags, and anal cancer), we discuss the efficacy of medical treatment and surgery. This review article may help physicians in decision-making when managing potentially disabling lesions.

Low-dose rate prostate brachytherapy is well tolerated in patients with a history of inflammatory bowel disease

PURPOSE

We report on the follow-up of 24 patients with a prior history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with brachytherapy for early-stage prostate cancer.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Twenty-four patients with a history of inflammatory bowel disease (17 with ulcerative colitis (UC), 7 with Crohn's disease [CD]) underwent prostate brachytherapy between 1992 and 2004. Fifteen patients were treated with I-125 implantation and 6 patients were treated with Pd-103 alone or in combination with 45 Gy external beam radiation. Charts were reviewed for all patients, and all living patients were contacted by phone. National Cancer Institute common toxicity scores for proctitis were assigned to all patients. Actuarial risk of late toxicity was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 126 months (median, 48.5 months; mean, 56.8 months).

RESULTS

None of the patients experienced Grade 3 or 4 rectal toxicity. Four patients experienced Grade 2 late rectal toxicity. The 5-year actuarial freedom from developing late Grade 2 rectal toxicity was 81%. At a median follow-up of 48.5 months, 23 patients were alive and had no evidence of disease with a median prostate-specific antigen for the sample of 0.1 ng/mL (range, <0.05-0.88 ng/mL). One patient died of other causes unrelated to his prostate cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Prostate brachytherapy is well tolerated in patients with a history of controlled IBD. Therefore, brachytherapy should be considered a viable therapeutic option in this patient population.

Late small bowel toxicity after adjuvant treatment for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

For locally advanced rectal cancer surgery as sole treatment results in poor local control and survival. After adjuvant radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer, small bowel toxicity has been the most frequent and serious side effect. The gain in survival and local control was accompanied by severe late chronic toxicity reducing the benefit of adjuvant treatment.

REVIEW

Clinical factors, pathology and treatment of late small bowel toxicity after adjuvant radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer will be discussed. This review will focus on different surgical and radiotherapeutic means reducing the risk of late small bowel damage.

Rectal cancer and ulcerative colitis: does it change the therapeutic approach?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of coexisting colorectal cancer in ulcerative colitis in a population of patients undergoing ileal pouch anal anastomosis. The frequency of rectal cancer in this population, surgical intervention, general outcomes and cancer recurrence are described.

METHODS

Data on 1850 patients undergoing restorative proctocolectomy from 1983 to 2001 were reviewed. Information was gathered from data in the department's pelvic pouch database, as well as pathology and surgical reports. Follow-up questionnaires routinely sent to patients as part of the database were included in the analysis to determine current functional status. Mean follow-up period was 7.5 years after surgery.

RESULTS

Seventy patients had coexisting colorectal cancer at time of IPAA. 7 (10%) of cancers were incidental. Pre-operative duration of disease was 18.6 years. Twenty-six of the cancers were rectal cancers. The most common form of anastomosis in the rectal cancers was mucosectomy, especially in pre-operatively known rectal cancer or low lying dysplasia. Preferred surgical technique for rectal cancer in mucosal ulcerative colitis (UC) included high ligation of mesenteric vessels with radical colectomy and taped occlusion of the rectum with irrigation of the rectal stump with Turnbull solution prior to mucosectomy. Patients with Stage 3 cancers received postoperative chemotherapy. Post-operative radiation therapy was not commonly recommended. Five of 70 patients were deceased from metastatic colon cancer; 55 patients were confirmed alive with good to excellent pouch function with a follow-up range of 1-17 years.

CONCLUSION

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis is a successful surgical approach for patients with coexisting colorectal cancer in UC. When the appropriate surgical technique is used in patients with colon or rectal cancer, along with adjuvant chemotherapy when appropriate, prognosis and function is very good.

Anal and rectal cancer in Crohn's disease

Several epidemiological studies have been published regarding the risk of Crohn's disease- associated colorectal cancer. The findings are, however, contradictory and it has been particularly difficult to obtain indisputable information on the incidence of cancer limited to the rectum and the anus. During 1987-2000 rectal or anal cancer was diagnosed in 335 patients in Sweden (153 males, 182 females). In other words, approximately 3 Crohn patients per million inhabitants were diagnosed with rectal or anal cancer every year during that time period which is 1% of the total number of cases. At diagnosis of cancer 36% were aged below 50 years and 58% below 60 years. Corresponding figures for all cases of anal and rectal cancer were 5% and 18%, respectively. Present knowledge from the literature implies that there is an increased risk of rectal and anal cancer only in Crohn's disease patients with severe proctitis or severe chronic perianal disease. However, the rectal remnant must also be considered a risk factor. Multimodal treatment is similar to that in sporadic cancer but proctectomy and total or partial colectomy is added depending on the extent of the Crohn's disease. The outcome is the same as in sporadic cancer at a corresponding stage but the prognosis is often poor due to the advanced stage of cancer at diagnosis. We suggest that six high-risk groups should be recommended annual surveillance after a duration of Crohn's disease of 15 years including extensive colitis, chronic severe anorectal disease, rectal remnant, strictures, bypassed segments and sclerosing cholangitis.

The effect of nonmalignant systemic disease on tolerance to radiation therapy

PURPOSE

Some patients with nonmalignant systemic diseases, like collagen vascular disease (CVD), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), tolerate radiation therapy poorly. Although the mechanisms of each of these disease processes are different, they share a common microvessel pathology that is potentially exacerbated by radiotherapy. This article reviews and evaluates available data examining the effects of these benign disease processes on radiation tolerance.

METHODS

We conducted a thorough review of the Anglo-American medical literature from 1960 to 2001 on the effects of radiotherapy on CVD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and IBD.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies were identified that examined the effects of radiation therapy for cancer in patients with CVDs. Thirteen of 15 studies documented greater occurrences of acute and late toxicities (range 7%-100%). Higher rates of complications were noted especially for nonrheumatoid arthritis CVDs. Nine studies evaluated the effects of hypertension and diabetes on radiation tolerance. All nine studies documented higher rates of late toxicities than in a "control" group (range 34%-100%). When patients had both diabetes and hypertension, the risk of late toxicities was even higher. Six studies examined radiation tolerance of patients with IBD irradiated to the abdomen and pelvis. Five of these six studies showed greater occurrences of acute and late toxicities for patients with IBD, even with precautionary measures like reduced fraction size and volume and patient immobilization (13%-29%).

CONCLUSION

The majority of published studies documented lower radiation tolerance for patients who have CVD, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and IBD. This may reflect a publication bias, as the majority of these studies are retrospective with small numbers of patients and use different scoring scales for complications. These factors may contribute to an overestimation of true radiation-induced morbidity. Although the paucity of data makes precise estimates difficult, a subset of patients, in particular, those with active CVD, IBD, or a combination of uncontrolled hypertension with type I diabetes, is likely to be at higher risk. Future prospective trials need to document these disease entities when reporting treatment-related complications and also must monitor toxicities associated with quiescent versus active IBD and CVD, type I versus type II diabetes, and levels of hypertension (controlled versus uncontrolled) matched for radiation-specific treatment sites, field size, fractionation, and total dose.

Artificial neural networks distinguish among subtypes of neoplastic colorectal lesions

BACKGROUND & AIMS

There is a subtle distinction between sporadic colorectal adenomas and cancers (SAC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated dysplasias and cancers. However, this distinction is clinically important because sporadic adenomas are usually managed by polypectomy alone, whereas IBD-related high-grade dysplasias mandate subtotal colectomy. The current study evaluated the ability of artificial neural networks (ANNs) based on complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray data to discriminate between these 2 types of colorectal lesions.

METHODS

We hybridized cDNA microarrays, each containing 8064 cDNA clones, to RNAs derived from 39 colorectal neoplastic specimens. Hierarchical clustering was performed, and an ANN was constructed and trained on a set of 5 IBD-related dysplasia or cancer (IBDNs) and 22 SACs.

RESULTS

Hierarchical clustering based on all 8064 clones failed to correctly categorize the SACs and IBDNs. However, the ANN correctly diagnosed 12 of 12 blinded samples in a test set (3 IBDNs and 9 SACs). Furthermore, using an iterative process based on the computer programs GeneFinder, Cluster, and MATLAB, we reduced the number of clones used for diagnosis from 8064 to 97. Even with this reduced clone set, the ANN retained its capacity for correct diagnosis. Moreover, cluster analysis performed with these 97 clones now separated the 2 types of lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that ANNs have the potential to discriminate among subtly different clinical entities, such as IBDNs and SACs, as well as to identify gene subsets having the power to make these diagnostic distinctions.

Colonic malignancy arising in colitis - a single unit experience

OBJECTIVES: Colorectal malignancy complicating inflammatory bowel disease constitutes 1% of all colorectal malignancies. Although its overall numbers are low it represents the greatest cause of colitis related mortality in these patients. This paper describes the management of 24 patients presenting to a single unit over a period of 10 years. METHODS: The names of patients were collected prospectively when they presented with malignancy. Clinical details were collected by retrospective review of charts. RESULTS: In all, 24 patients with 27 malignancies were identified. The median age of presentation with malignancy was 56 years. Most patients were treated with proctocolectomy. Other patients were treated with segmental colectomy. In these patients the surgical procedure was dictated by the stage of the cancer, the age and comorbid state of the patient and the severity of ongoing colitis. CONCLUSIONS: Malignancy arising in colitis will constitute only a small part of a colorectal practice. The optimum method for detecting early, and potentially curable, disease has not been defined. Surgery should be tailored to the individual needs of the patient.

Radiation damage to the rectum and anus: pathophysiology, clinical features and surgical implications

Radiation kills cancer cells by inducing various degrees of deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation and disruption of intracellular membranes that lead to either immediate or delayed cell death. Although radiation can be effective in destroying cancer, its usefulness is limited by damage to normal tissues that surround the target tumour or those in the path of the radiation beam. The rectum and anus are damaged frequently during radiotherapy for abdominopelvic malignancy, including preresection therapy for rectal cancer. Such damage is often associated with lesions in the perineal skin, genitourinary tract, colon, and small intestine. Surgical intervention often is required for the most severe forms of these complications.

Acute and late radiotherapy toxicity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

PURPOSE

To evaluate the incidence of gastrointestinal complications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) receiving radiotherapy (RT) and to identify possibly avoidable factors associated with these complications.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Twenty-four patients were identified and their records reviewed; all had a history of IBD before receiving RT to fields encompassing some portion of the gastrointestinal tract (Crohn's disease) or to the abdomen or pelvis (ulcerative colitis or IBD not otherwise specified).

RESULTS

Five of 24 patients (21%) experienced Grade > or =3 acute gastrointestinal toxicity; all 5 received concurrent chemotherapy. Two of 24 patients (8%) experienced Grade > or =3 late gastrointestinal toxicity. There were no significant correlations between complications and IBD type, prior IBD-related surgery, use of medications for IBD, or status of IBD.

CONCLUSION

Patients with IBD may have an increased risk for severe acute RT-related gastrointestinal complications that is more modest than generally perceived, because all patients who had Grade > or =3 acute complications in this study had received concurrent chemotherapy (p = 0.04). Further study is needed to assess this risk, as well as the impact of RT on these patients' future gastrointestinal morbidity.

Neoplastic and other complications of inflammatory bowel disease

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have long been known to be at increased risk of development of colorectal cancer; however, there are many nuances to cancer prevention strategies in IBD that remain unresolved. During the past year, two publications reported on the resection of otherwise typical adenoma-like masses by means of polypectomy, after which these patients were followed with continued endoscopic surveillance, rather than pursuing colectomy. Another concern in IBD is whether there is an increase in the number of other cancers, in particular lymphomas. One issue regarding lymphoma risk is whether immunomodulatory drug use predisposes to this cancer. One study of a large group of 6-mercaptopurine users did not suggest an increased risk for patients with IBD using this drug. There are a variety of nonintestinal problems that patients with IBD may confront. Osteopenia has received considerable attention in the past decade. This year, data have been published that quantify for the first time the risk of fractures in patients with IBD based on population, and these data were compared with a matched control group from the same population. Data on the further exploration of the issue of osteopenia in pediatric IBD have also been reported, as have some of the only studies of therapy for osteopenia in IBD. These and data on other extraintestinal manifestations of IBD have all emerged in the past year.