Patients with inflammatory bowel disease and precancerous colorectal lesions face an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, with risk levels tied to the severity of the lesions, according to a new study led by researchers at New York City-based NYU Langone Health.
The study, published Feb. 16 in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, tracked more than 54,000 patients in Sweden over a median of nearly 15 years. Researchers found that participants with low-grade dysplasia were 3.5 times more likely to develop advanced lesions or cancer than patients with no dysplasia. Of those with high-grade dysplasia, 40% developed colorectal cancer.
The findings constitute the most precise risk estimates to date and could help refine colonoscopy surveillance guidelines for patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, according to a Feb. 16 system news release.
The team is working to develop a personalized risk calculator based on the findings to tailor screening plans and avoid unnecessary procedures.
