Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Having either Crohn’s disease or another form of IBD is thought to increase the risk of cancer that starts in the colon.

这是关于克罗恩病与结肠癌之间的关系,如何降低风险以及筛查的重要性。

根据克罗恩和结肠炎基金会, people living with IBD appear to have a notably increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, or colon cancer.

结肠上长期发炎是罪魁祸首。

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition. It can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract, particularly the end of the small intestine or the colon. The cause of Crohn’s disease is unclear, but the gut microbiome may play a role.

克罗恩病也被认为是一种自身免疫性疾病,身体会错误地攻击健康的组织。借助克罗恩斯(Crohn's),这可以在结肠中发生,从而导致炎症以及在细胞水平上持续的损害和修复过程。这种受损细胞的持续修复和替换增加了DNA中可能导致癌症的错误几率。

According to a 2019 review , the strongest link between chronic inflammation and cancer is most apparent in colorectal cancer.

研究shows that people living with IBD are already at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Though the risk may not be as high for those who don’t experience inflammation in the colon.

相关风险因素包括:

  • having ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s colitis (a form of Crohn’s that only affects the colon)
  • an 8-to-10-year history of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
  • 结肠的严重或长期炎症
  • prior history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer
  • family history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps
  • 原发性硬化性胆管炎,这种疾病会引起胆管发炎和疤痕
  • dysplasia or precancerous cells found in the colon or rectum
  • 遗传基因突变,例如林奇综合征

根据 American Cancer Society , the risk of developing colorectal cancer rises with age, especially after age 50. African Americans have the highest colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates of all racial groups in the United States. Ashkenazi Jews have one of the highest colorectal cancer risks of any ethnic group in the world.

Additional risk factors include:

  • 患有2型糖尿病
  • 超重或肥胖
  • being inactive
  • eating a diet high in red and processed meats
  • 抽烟
  • 饮酒

克罗恩病无法治愈,但是有一些方法可以帮助控制潜在的炎症。定期去看医生,以评估您的健康并根据需要调整您的治疗计划。

Other ways to reduce risk include:

  • 记录您的症状和其他问题,以便您可以与医生讨论
  • taking your medications as prescribed, even if you’re feeling well
  • 定期运动
  • eating a nutritious diet and avoiding trigger foods
  • reaching and maintaining a healthy weight

It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer. These can include:

  • 肠习惯的变化,例如便秘,腹泻或频率
  • 狭窄或小凳子
  • 凳子上的鲜红色或非常深的血液
  • persistent abdominal or pelvic pain and bloating
  • nausea or vomiting
  • 疲劳
  • 无法解释的体重减轻

Let your doctor know if you experience any of these symptoms.

大多数克罗恩病的人永远不会发展结肠癌。但是由于风险增加,它应该在您的雷达上。第一步是询问您的医生何时应该筛选结肠癌。

The美国预防服务工作队(USPSTF)recommends colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45. Repeat screens should be done every 10 years. After age 76, the recommendation is for you and your doctor to weigh the potential risks and benefits of screening, though these guidelines apply to asymptomatic people at average risk.

If you’ve had symptoms of Crohn’s for 8 years or more, or have other factors that increase your risk of colon cancer, you should be screened every1 or 2 years. Depending on your individual circumstances, your doctor may recommend more frequent screening.

筛选procedures

A colonoscopy is a test that’s used to screen for colon cancer. It allows the doctor to look inside the rectum and the entire length of the colon for any abnormalities or signs of cancer. If abnormal tissue is detected, the doctor may take a sample of the tissue for testing.

结肠镜检查还可以检测癌前息肉或病变。这些可以在相同的过程中去除,这可以防止结肠癌首先发育。

用于筛查结肠癌的其他一些测试是:

  • 乙状结肠镜检查,该过程允许医生检查直肠内部和下结肠的内部
  • 粪便神秘血液测试,检查凳子上的血液是否看不见
  • DNA stool test, which checks for genetic changes

Your doctor will recommend specific screening procedures and testing intervals based on your health history.

外表

早期结直肠癌是高度treatable. Colon cancer doesn’t usually cause symptoms early on. Routine screening detect the cancer before symptoms develop. That’s why it’s important to stay on top of your screenings as scheduled.

患有克罗恩病或其他类型的IBD会增加结肠癌的风险。与您的医疗团队合作,您可以采取的步骤来管理克罗恩斯,并降低结肠癌的风险。

Speak with your doctor about when and how you should get screened for colon cancer. If you experience new gastrointestinal symptoms, see your doctor right away. Colon cancer is very treatable early on, which is why routine screening is so important.