Abstract
Chronic intestinal Inflammation occurs in response to environmental factors, infection and genetics; and plays a critical role in initiation, promotion, progression and metastasis of colon cancer. Colitis associated colon cancer (CAC) is a classic example of multifactorial, multi-step colorectal cancer associated with inflammatory bowel diseases. In recent years, the generation of animal models of CAC and recognition of the importance of the gut microbiota, altered immune system, and other environmental factors in CAC, has expanded the basic understanding of inflammation associated colon cancer. In this chapter, we discuss the cellular alterations and mechanisms by which inflammation contributes towards the development of colon cancer using CAC as a model system. We have also explored some of the promising strategies for preventing progression of inflammation to colon cancer. The emerging role of dietary factors, obesity and gut microbiota in colon cancer is also reviewed.