Font Size

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (cont.)

Next Steps

Follow-up

Persons with inflammatory bowel disease are prone to the development of malignancy (cancer). In Crohn disease, there is a higher rate of small intestinal malignancy. Persons with involvement of the whole colon, particularly ulcerative colitis, are at a higher risk of developing colonic malignancy after 8-10 years of the onset of the disease. For cancer prevention, surveillance colonoscopy every 1-2 years after 8 years of disease is recommended.

Use of corticosteroids may lead to debilitating illness, particularly after long-term use. You should consider trying more aggressive therapies rather than remaining on corticosteroids because of the potential for side effects with these drugs.

If you are taking steroids, you should undergo a yearly ophthalmologic examination because of the risk of development of cataract.

Persons with IBD have a reduction in bone density, either from decreased calcium absorption (because of the underlying disease process) or because of corticosteroid use. Crippling osteoporosis can be a very serious complication. If you have significantly low bone density, you will be administered bisphosphonates and calcium supplements.