Risk of cancerous transformation in ulcerative colitis

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on November 19, 2024
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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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Written by Wang Zhen Quan
Colorectal Surgery Department
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What should you not eat with colitis?

So what foods should we avoid for patients with colitis? First of all, we should try not to eat milk and seafood, because milk and seafood are types of foreign proteins to the human body, which could potentially become allergens. Because colitis patients are likely to experience colonic allergies after consumption, resulting in worsened diarrhea, so it is advisable to avoid these foods as much as possible. Secondly, we should minimize the consumption of high-fat foods, because patients with colitis have poor digestive functions, particularly weak in digesting fats. Incompletely digested high-fat foods can cause "slippery gut" leading to diarrhea. Over time, the accumulation of fats can also induce complications such as fatty liver, etc. Therefore, foods high in fats such as lard, cream, walnuts, peanuts, almonds, etc., should be avoided or eaten sparingly. Third, it is important to eat less gas-producing food: because colonic inflammation in colitis, due to chronic and recurrent episodes, causes alternation of ulcers and scar fibrosis in the colonic mucosa, which reduces the elasticity of the colonic inner wall. Consuming more gas-producing foods, such as sweet potatoes and soybeans, may cause acute intestinal dilation due to the filling of gas in the intestines, or even lead to complications such as ulcer perforation. Fourth, eat fewer vegetables containing coarse fiber: the fiber in vegetables can absorb intestinal water and have a laxative effect, which might aggravate diarrhea. Therefore, foods high in coarse fiber like celery, crown daisy, cabbage, spinach, etc., should be consumed in limited quantities.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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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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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Characteristics of colitis abdominal pain

The characteristics of abdominal pain caused by colitis generally include intermittent dull pain, and sometimes colicky pain might also occur, although colicky pain is less common. Patients with colitis may experience diarrhea or constipation, or alternating episodes of both. Diagnostically, colitis is primarily identified through colonoscopy, which can reveal congested, edematous, and eroded mucosa of the colon, potential inflammation, possible ulcers, and the formation of granulomas. For treatment, medications for ulcerative colitis, such as mesalazine, can be chosen. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Colitis is what disease.

Colitis is caused by various reasons, leading to inflammatory lesions in the colon. Depending on the cause, it can be divided into nonspecific inflammatory changes and specific inflammatory lesions. It can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or parasites, with typical symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. Severe anemia and intestinal dysfunction may occur. Due to repeated diarrhea, an imbalance of acid-base equilibrium can happen. Patients generally see a gastroenterologist and require long-term treatment, as well as dietary adjustments.

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Written by Wang Zhen Quan
Colorectal Surgery Department
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What is colitis?

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.