Crohn's Disease

Risks

Even with the best treatment, complications of Crohn's disease can occur:

• Over time, parts of the bowel can thicken and narrow, blocking the flow of food through the digestive tract.
• Ulcers can form in the lower part of the small intestine, the colon or rectum.
• Sometimes these ulcers extend completely through the intestinal wall, creating a fistula — an abnormal connection between loops of the intestine or between the intestine and skin or other organs.
• In some cases, fistulas can become infected and form an abscess, a problem that can be life-threatening if left untreated.

The most serious complication associated with Crohn's disease, however, is colorectal cancer. Your own risk depends on how much of the intestine is involved and how long you've had the disease. Your risk is greatest if you've had inflammatory bowel disease for eight to 10 years and it has spread through your entire colon.

You and your Mayo Clinic doctor will discuss whether you need a cancer surveillance program, which usually means having a colonoscopy every one to two years. Mayo doctors use leading-edge techniques to screen for cancer, including chromoendoscopy, which uses a spray dye to highlight abnormal tissue changes that might not otherwise be seen.