Does UC in a 61-year-old male cause weight loss and bleeding?

Question

Hello doctor,

My father, aged 61, has had ulcerative colitis for nearly five years. Over the last month, he has experienced weight loss and occasional severe abdominal cramps along with blood in stool. His last colonoscopy was done two years ago.

Should regular screening be done to rule out colon cancer in long-standing ulcerative colitis?
Are these symptoms typical of disease progression?
What warning signs mean we should seek urgent care?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

Your father has ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon. In patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis, especially after eight to 10 years of disease, there is a slightly increased risk of colorectal cancer due to persistent inflammation of the colon lining. Because of this, regular surveillance is recommended.

Most guidelines advise periodic colonoscopy (a procedure used to examine the inside of the colon ) beginning about eight years after diagnosis and then repeating it every one to three years, depending on disease extent and previous findings.

Since your father's last colonoscopy was two years ago and he now has new symptoms such as weight loss and bleeding, it would be reasonable to discuss a repeat colonoscopic evaluation with his gastroenterologist.

Blood in stool and abdominal cramps can occur during a flare of ulcerative colitis. Still, unexplained weight loss or worsening symptoms should be evaluated carefully to rule out complications, severe inflammation, or rarely dysplasia (presence of abnormal cells within a tissue or organ) or cancer. You should seek urgent medical attention if any of the following occur:

Very frequent bloody diarrhea, more than six to eight times daily.
Severe or persistent abdominal pain or abdominal swelling.
Fever, dehydration, or extreme weakness.
Continuous bleeding or signs of anemia (a problem of not having enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body's tissues).
Sudden worsening of overall condition.

Early evaluation allows doctors to assess disease activity, adjust medications such as Mesalamine or other therapies, and perform necessary screening.

With regular surveillance colonoscopy, proper treatment, and close follow-up, many patients with ulcerative colitis maintain good disease control and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.