Clinical characters of ulcerative colitis associated colorectal cancer and carcinogenesis related protein expression

Objective To explore the clinical features and possible carcinogenesis mechanism of the ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated colorectal cancer. Methods From 1984 to 2008, 6 clinical cases of UC-associated colorectal cancer were collected at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The characters of morbidity, clinical features, pathology type, treatment and prognosis were analyzed.Immunohistochemistry(IHC) was performed to study the protein expression of adenomatous polyposis coli protein(APC), β-catenin, P53 and Wnt-1 in the specimens. Results The canceration of UC was 1.1 %, higher in female cases (5/6), the average duration was 14.3 years. All cases presented typical UC manifestation, most involved total colon (5/6) and none of them complicated with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). There were 4 rectal cancers and 2 descending colon caners the UC cases collected. The major pathology type was adenocarcinoma with poor prognosis. The positive protein expression ratio of APC, β-catenin, P53 and Wnt-1 were 6/6, 6/6, 5/6 and 6/6 respectively.Conclusion The rectal cancer should be monitored and prevented in UC patients with total colon involved and long disease duration. Multi-pathway may possibly be involved in the carcinogenesis. Key words: Colitis, Ulcerative;  Adenomatous polyposis coli;  Beta Catenin