Dysplasia in Ulcerative Colitis

Comments:
Gross Features of Cancers in Ulcerative Colitis (UC): Colorectal cancers arising in the setting of UC have atypical features. Malignancy arises in the flat rather than polypoid mucosa. The mucosa is thickened with a finely granular or velvety appearance. The lesions are distributed more evenly throughout the colon and are multiple in 10-20% of cases.

Microscopic Features of Cancers in UC: Adenocarcinomas arising in the setting of UC show a greater proportion of poorly-differentiated or mucinous adenocarcinoma in comparison to those arising in non-inflamed bowel. There is no difference in survival between UC-associated colorectal cancers and a control group (not associated with UC) when matched for grade and stage.