The effectiveness of endoscopic resection for colorectal neoplasms in ulcerative colitis: a multicenter registration study

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are at risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). The feasibility of endoscopic resection (ER) for UC-associated neoplasia (UCAN) has been suggested, but its efficacy and safety remain unclear. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ER for colorectal neoplasms in patients with UC. This was a retrospective, multicenter cohort study of patients with UC who initially underwent ER or surgery for colorectal neoplasms between April 2015 and March 2021. Patients who had prior colorectal neoplastic lesions were excluded. Among 213 males and 123 females analyzed, the mean age at UC onset was 41.6 years, and the mean age at neoplasia diagnosis was 56.1 years for 240 cases of total colitis, 59 cases of left-sided colitis, 31 cases of proctitis, and 6 cases of segmental colitis. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) was performed for 142 lesions, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was performed for 96 lesions. The perforation rate was 2.5% for all 238 lesions removed by ER and 6.3% for the 96 lesions removed by ESD. Among 146 ER lesions followed up with endoscopy, the local recurrence rate was 2.7%. The incidence of metachronous neoplasia after ER was 6.1%. All patients were followed a median of 34.7 months after initial treatment, and 5 died (all surgical cases). Overall survival was significantly higher in the ER group than in the surgery group (P = 0.0085). ER for colorectal neoplasms in UC may be acceptable in selected cases, although follow-up for metachronous lesions is necessary.