Association of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with indolent soft-tissue sarcomas: report of two cases and review of literature.

Two patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and indolent forms of soft-tissue sarcomas (extraosseous osteogenic sarcoma and desmoid tumor) are presented. The literature is reviewed regarding these tumors, which have not previously been recognized in association with IBD. Despite the well-established relationship between IBD and neoplasms of epithelial and lymphoreticular origin, there have been limited data in this context pertaining to mesenchymal tumors. Two preceding reports have described the coexistence of IBD with another form of soft tissue sarcoma (Kaposi's sarcoma). Given that this relationship has now been observed in four cases, the possibility that soft-tissue sarcoma and IBD do not coexist fortuitously must be considered. This suggestion is raised in light of the rare incidence of these disorders, the limited understanding of factors governing their expression, and the known association of IBD with other forms of neoplasia.