Adenocarcinoma following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis: Review of 26 cases

The occurrence of adenocarcinoma following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC) is an infrequent and but potentially lethal complication. We have seen 1 such case among 520 IPAAs performed in our group practice between 1978 and February 2008. We have added this case to a review of 25 previously reported cases of adenocarcinoma of the pouch or outflow tract following IPAA for UC. Our conclusions are 1) that post-IPAA cancer can occur following either mucosectomy or stapled anastomosis; 2) that this malignancy can occur after IPAA performed for UC either with or without neoplasia; and 3) that this complication is seen whether or not the initial cancer or dysplasia had involved the rectum.