Ulcerative Colitis

  I was diagnosed as having ulcerative colitis when I was 21 years old, due to a couple of episodes of bloody diarrhea.  The second episode, I had to stop taking the medication because of side effects.  Instead, I eliminated dairy products from my diet and took aloe vera juice, acidophilus, etc, and the symptoms went away.  I am now 45, and haven't had a recurrence for almost 20 years.  My question is:  what would normally be recommended for follow-up monitoring in this case?  I've had occasional flexible sigmoidoscopies, and a colonoscopy about 10 years ago... all of which showed no problems.  
Dear bublynski,
Periodic surveillance colonoscopy is recommended for patients with ulcerative colitis. The reason for this is, that patients with longstanding ulcerative colitis (>7 years) have been shown to be at higher risk for the development of colon cancer than the general population. This is especially true of patients with universal or pancolitis (total colonic involvement). The increased risk is lower but significant in patients with left sided colitis and very low in patients with only rectal involvement. The current recommendation is to perform a colonoscopy every 2 years starting at 7 years after diagnosis and after approximately 10-15 years after diagnosis to perform annual colonoscopy. Random biopsies are taken throughout the colon to rule out dysplasia (glandular distortion-an early sign of cancer). Polyps or other mucosal abnormalities are biopsied as well. If dysplasia is found a colectomy is usually recommended.  I hope you find this information helpful.
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