The Current Trend of Anorectal Cancer Surveillance in Patients with Crohn's Disease: A Questionnaire Survey of Japanese Specialists

Abstract

In Japan, patients with long-standing Crohn's disease (CD) are at increased risk of colorectal cancer, especially anorectal cancer. We performed a questionnaire survey about anorectal cancer surveillance in patients with CD. Eighteen major hospitals in Japan that treat inflammatory bowel disease surgically participated in this study. Most hospitals started anorectal cancer screening of CD patients who had had perianal disease for more than ten years. Ten hospitals had experienced a case in whom anorectal cancer had been detected by anorectal cancer screening test. There is a pressing need to develop strategies for the early detection of anorectal cancer.