Colon carcinoma in patients undergoing liver transplantation

Renata Fabia, Marlon F. Levy, Giuliano Testa, Samuel Obiekwe, Robert M. Goldstein, Bo S. Husberg, Thomas A. Gonwa, Goran B. Klintmalm

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

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). PATIENTS AND 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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)265-269
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican journal of surgery
Volume176
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Colon carcinoma in patients undergoing liver transplantation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this