Frequency of colorectal dysplasia and cancer among young patients with ulcerative colitis in a tertiary care hospital

Introduction: The rationale behind this study was to determine the burden of dysplasia and colorectal cancer in young patients with ulcerative colitis on histopathological examination. This facilitated early detection of dysplasia and colorectal cancer by regular endoscopic biopsies will guide the physicians on appropriate surveillance and management. Objectives: To determine the frequency of colorectal dysplasia and colorectal cancer on histopathological examination in young (15-40 years) patients with ulcerative colitis. Patients and Methods: 76 biopsies of already diagnosed cases of UC of young patients aged between 15-40 years of either gender were included. Specimens were fixed in 10% buffer formalin, paraffin embedded followed by cutting, slide preparation and staining with hematoxylin and eosin stain and examined under light microscope. Results: There were 13 (17.2%) patients who were diagnosed for colorectal dysplasia, 03 (3.9%) with indefinite for dysplasia; 08 (10.5%) with low grade; and 02 (2.6%) with high-grade dysplasia. There were 03 (3.9%) patients who were diagnosed for colorectal carcinoma, 01 (1.3%) with grade 1; 01 (1.3%) with grade 2; and 01 (1.3 %) with grade three colorectal cancer. Conclusion: Routine biopsies can identify dysplastic epithelium, an established marker for coexisting malignancy in patients with ulcerative colitis, and provide the rationale for surveillance of these patients.