What is colitis?

Written by Wang Zhen Quan

Colorectal Surgery Department

Updated on September 25, 2024

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People often ask, what is colitis? Actually, colitis is a rather broad and vague diagnosis. Depending on the location of occurrence, it can be divided into proctitis, colitis, enteritis, etc. Based on the severity of the condition, it can be categorized into acute enteritis and chronic enteritis. Depending on the cause of the disease, it can be divided into non-specific enteritis, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and specific types of enteritis like radiation enteritis, among others.

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Is colonic inflammatory polyp serious?

Inflammatory colon polyps are not very severe, and it is very rare for inflammatory polyps to become cancerous. However, if the inflammatory polyps are relatively large, it is necessary to undergo endoscopic treatment to remove them. After removal, pathological and tissue examinations are also needed to further confirm whether the polyps are indeed inflammatory and to rule out tumorous polyps, such as adenomatous polyps, among others. Additionally, about six months after the polyp removal surgery, a follow-up colonoscopy should be conducted to check for the recurrence of polyps. The primary causes of inflammatory colon polyps could be diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

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Can colitis be detected by an ultrasound?

Colitis cannot be definitively diagnosed with an ultrasound, as ultrasound is primarily used for diagnosing solid organs such as the liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, and pancreas. For hollow organs, the diagnosis is obscured by gas and food inside the intestines, making ultrasound less effective. For patients suspected of having colitis, the best examination is a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy can clearly show the extent and severity of the inflammation. CT scans also hold diagnostic value as they can reveal thickening and edema of the colonic wall. CT scans are less painful compared to colonoscopies, which can be somewhat painful.

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Risk of cancerous transformation in ulcerative colitis

The likelihood of cancerous transformation in ulcerative colitis is not very high. Generally, patients with ulcerative colitis who have had the disease for more than a decade and have not undergone treatment might be at risk of malignancy. Active treatment and regular gastroscopic checks can prevent the development of cancer. Therapeutically, options include using mesalazine for anti-inflammatory treatment, as well as using Bacillus cereus or Bifidobacterium triplex to regulate the intestinal flora. Additionally, if a patient with ulcerative colitis experiences chills, fever, and severe purulent bloody stools, it may be necessary to consider treatment with steroids and immunosuppressants. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician.)

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Can colitis turn into cancer?

Colitis is considered a benign lesion clinically and generally does not transform into cancer. Therefore, patients do not need to worry too much. The diagnosis of colitis mainly relies on colonoscopy. Most patients undergo colonoscopy due to abdominal discomfort or abnormal stools. The abdominal discomfort is primarily in the lower abdomen or lower left abdomen, presenting as pain and distension. Abnormal stools can clinically manifest as changes in the frequency of bowel movements, changes in stool texture to harder or thinner, and so on. Most patients do not exhibit alarming symptoms such as bloody stools, weight loss, or decreased appetite. Colonoscopy is frequently used clinically and can generally serve to differentiate between colitis and colon cancer. Most patients can tolerate a colonoscopy, so there is no need for patients to resist undergoing this examination.

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Which department should I go to for colitis?

If it is colitis, the patient has symptoms such as loose stools, increased frequency of defecation, and unformed stools. In such cases, it is first recommended to visit the gastroenterology department. After an interview and physical examination by a doctor, a colonoscopy can be performed based on the patient's condition to clarify the diagnosis. If the patient has symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and anemia in addition to the above, they can visit either the gastroenterology department or the general surgery department. Generally, the examinations for colitis include stool tests and colonoscopy. Therefore, when going to the hospital, if the patient has colitis, the first choice should be the department of gastroenterology.