6 Long-Term Complications of Uncontrolled Ulcerative Colitis

Key takeaways
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Severe or persistent inflammation can increase your risk of complications.
For example, constant inflammation in your intestine may eventually cause cells to become cancerous. People with UC have a higher risk of colorectal cancer than people without the disease.
UC symptoms come and go, but the condition is chronic. To lower your risk for complications, follow the treatment plan your healthcare team has prescribed.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It develops when the immune system attacks food, bacteria, and other substances in the large intestine (colon).
This causes inflammation that can permanently damage the colon lining.
Periods of UC symptoms are called flare-ups. Symptom-free periods are called remission. People with UC alternate between flare-ups and remissions.
Taking medications can help manage the immune response and bring down inflammation in your colon before it causes damage and complications. Some people may need surgery to remove damaged parts of their colon.
Osteoporosis
UC increases your risk of developing the bone-weakening disease osteoporosis. Up to 60% of people with IBD have thinner than average bones.
Severe inflammation in your colon or having part of your colon removed with surgery can make it harder for your body to absorb calcium and vitamin D. You need these nutrients to keep your bones strong.
Inflammation can also disrupt the process your body uses to rebuild new bone. Having weak bones increases your risk of fractures.
Taking corticosteroids can also contribute to osteoporosis. These medications reduce inflammation in the colon, but they can also weaken bones.
Eating a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D can help protect your bones. Doing weight-bearing exercises like walking up stairs and dancing also strengthens bones.
If a bone density test shows that you have weakened bones, your doctor can prescribe bisphosphonates or other medications to protect them. You may also need to reduce your use of steroids.
Colorectal cancer
Constant inflammation in the intestine can eventually make cells turn cancerous. People with UC have a higher risk of getting colorectal cancer than people without the disease.
Your likelihood of developing cancer does increase after you've had the condition for 8–10 years.
But overall, your risk is low. Most people with UC will never get colorectal cancer.
You're more likely to get colorectal cancer if you have:
severe inflammation in your colon
a family history of colorectal cancer
It's important for people who have had UC for more than 8 years to get screened every 1–2 years with a colonoscopy. This test uses a long flexible tube to find and remove abnormal tissue in your lower intestine.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is inflammation and scarring in the bile ducts. These tubes carry the digestive fluid bile from your liver to your small intestine. PSC is common in people with UC.
Scars can make the bile ducts narrow. The narrowing causes bile to back up in the liver. Over time, the liver can become scarred and damaged enough to need a transplant.
Swollen colon (toxic megacolon)
Toxic megacolon is a rare but dangerous complication of UC. It happens when gas becomes trapped in the colon and makes it swell up.
The colon can become so enlarged that it breaks open and releases bacteria into the blood. The bacteria can cause a serious blood infection called septicemia. If you suspect you have a swollen colon, seek medical help immediately.
Symptoms of toxic megacolon include:
belly pain and swelling
fever
rapid heart rate
Doctors treat toxic megacolon with medications to bring down swelling and prevent infection. If treatments don't work, you may need surgery to remove part or all of your colon.
Perforated colon
Inflammation and sores can weaken the colon wall so much that it eventually develops a hole. This is called a perforated colon.
A perforated colon usually happens because of toxic megacolon. It's a medical emergency.
Bacteria that live in your intestine can get out through the hole into the abdomen. These bacteria can cause a serious infection called peritonitis. If this happens, you'll need surgery to close the hole.
Bleeding
Damage to the colon can cause bleeding. You may notice the blood in your bowel movements. Bloody stools are a main symptom of UC.
The bleeding can be severe enough to cause anemia — a drop in red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body. It causes symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath.

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GE HealthCare is proud to be among 2025 Fortune World's Most Admired Companies™ . Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook , Instagram , and Insights for the latest news, or visit our website for more information. i LesionID Pro with automated zero-click pre-processing is 510(k)-pending with the U.S. FDA. Not CE Marked and not licensed in accordance with Canadian law. Not available for sale in the United States, Europe, Canada, or any other region. ii Cancer. World Health Organization. Published February 3, 2022. . Accessed March 2, 2023. iii Technology in development that represents ongoing research and development efforts. These technologies are not products and may never become products. Not CE marked. iv Omni Legend 21cm as compared to Discovery MI Gen1 20cm. As demonstrated in phantom testing. v Based on orders data of GE HealthCare PET/CT systems since 2010. vi Compared to NM/CT 870 DR. vii As compared to NM/CT 870 DR with Optima 540 CT. viiia ASiR-V reduces dose by 50% to 82% relative to FBP at the same image quality (Image quality as defined by low contrast detectability). viii b In clinical practice, the use of ASiR‐V may reduce CT patient dose depending on the clinical task, patient size, anatomical location, and clinical practice. A consultation with a radiologist and a physicist should be made to determine the appropriate dose to obtain diagnostic image quality for the particular clinical task. Low Contrast Detectability (LCD), Image Noise, Spatial Resolution and Artifact were assessed using reference factory protocols comparing ASiR‐V and FBP. The LCD was measured using 0.625 mm slices and tested for both head and body modes using the MITA CT IQ Phantom (CCT183, The Phantom Laboratory), using a model observer method. View source version on CONTACT: GE HealthCare Media Contact: Margaret Steinhafel M +1 608 381 8829 [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA ILLINOIS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BIOMETRICS OTHER SCIENCE RADIOLOGY PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH ONCOLOGY SOFTWARE MEDICAL DEVICES HARDWARE HOSPITALS SCIENCE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY CLINICAL TRIALS MANAGED CARE GENERAL HEALTH BIOTECHNOLOGY HEALTH HEALTH TECHNOLOGY SOURCE: GE HealthCare Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/21/2025 08:21 AM/DISC: 06/21/2025 08:21 AM