Segmental resection is a safe oncological alternative to total proctocolectomy in elderly patients with ulcerative colitis and malignancy.

AIM: The standard approach for the surgical management of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the setting of ulcerative colitis (UC) involves total proctocolectomy (TPC). However, some patients also undergo a partial resection (PR). This may be an attractive option in older patients with a high risk for surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the risk of metachronous cancer after PR or TPC for CRC in the setting of UC.

METHOD: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted through the Nationwide Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (VA). Patients who had UC and underwent a PR or TPC for CRC were followed from the time of their surgery to their most recent clinical follow-up. The primary outcome was development of metachronous cancer in the PR group. Secondary outcomes included surgical and medical outcomes.

RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were included: 24 (40.7%) underwent PR and 35 (59.3%) underwent TPC. The median age at cancer diagnosis was 73.0 and 61.7 years in PR and TPC groups, respectively (P < 0.0005). Amongst patients undergoing PR, 15 (60%) had no active UC at the time of surgery, whereas in patients undergoing TPC, at the time of surgery eight (23.5%) had no active UC (P = 0.005). No patient who underwent a partial colectomy developed a metachronous cancer in the retained colonic segment during the follow-up period (median 7 years).

CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that PR for CRC in the setting of UC may be a viable option in a selected cohort of patients, especially among the elderly.