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Can UC begin at cecum? Concerned on behalf of a family member

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/17/2022 12:06 PM (GMT -7)
Hi all,

I'm writing because my sister discovered she has some inflammation around her cecum. She does not have UC (as far as we know). She was experiencing pain in that area and had a CT scan. They thought maybe it was diverticulitis but obviously couldn't tell that much from just the scan. I was diagnosed at 28 and am now 55. She's about to turn 52.

At first I thought since it was so far away from the rectum it was unlikely to be UC. What do others think? I suggested it might not be a bad idea to get a colonoscopy (she's never had one), but she is not into the idea. She says the pain has subsided and she thinks it's just something she ate. Any thoughts?

Thanks, folks!
Posted 5/17/2022 2:23 PM (GMT -7)
Often UC starts at the bottom (i.e., rectal area) and moves up. But really the only way to tell is by having a colonoscopy. I would strongly encourage your sister to have a stools test called a Calprotectin as well as a colonoscopy.
Posted 5/17/2022 3:46 PM (GMT -7)
There is a known variant of UC where inflammation occurs in the cecal patch and also on the left-side of colon, usually involving the sigmoid and rectum = proctosigmoiditis. If your sister has repeat discomfort in the cecal area she should definitely consult a physician. Far better to take appropriate medical tests than to rely on an urgent care facility if a more painful situation arises. / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)
Posted 5/17/2022 3:55 PM (GMT -7)
I second (or third?) getting a colonoscopy. Even without the cecum patch, given her age it would be normal to get a colonoscopy as part of a regular healthcheck (to screen for cancer etc).
Posted 5/17/2022 4:21 PM (GMT -7)
Yep, I made that point (that at her age she should be getting a colonoscopy anyway). She was unfazed. I am going to keep hammering on this, but in the meantime, this makes me curious generally: who out there has a sibling who also has UC? No other relatives of mine do—or none, if she doesn’t.
Posted 5/17/2022 5:19 PM (GMT -7)
Yes! I have UC with inflammation to 26 cm but when I was diagnosed I also had a patch of inflammation in my cecum. The doctor who did my first scope said it is not uncommon for this to happen, but a colonoscopy with biopsies is needed. Ever since that first scope my cecum has looked good.
Posted 5/17/2022 9:29 PM (GMT -7)
I also had UC with a "patch" in the cecum. But I also had inflammation in the rectal area. I would suspect your sister also has inflammation on the left side, perhaps not very bad at the moment.
Posted 5/18/2022 12:03 AM (GMT -7)
I have 2 sisters with crohns disease + other autoimmune conditions and I have classic UC so yes autoimmune stuff can run in families.
Posted 5/24/2022 12:00 PM (GMT -7)
I also had a patch by the cecum and patches throughout the colon down to the rectum, when I was diagnosed with UC. Every other scope showed only disease in the sigmoid colon and rectum. The oral meds must have worked for the patchy inflamation, because the last 15 years, I've flared 43 cm into the sigmoid colon.
Posted 5/25/2022 2:22 AM (GMT -7)
No one in my family has it but my mum these days talks a lot of stomach disturbances which she attributes to her blood pressure and arthritis meds and eating some junk from outside. Since she is 80 she is not keen on a scope at all and nor are her docs pressing her for it. They seem to think she will be fine on Pantaprzaole with her current symptoms. The more I learn about UC though the more it seems to me like she may perhaps have had it simmering from her 40’s. She developed bone and joint issues pretty early and now mentions blurry eye issues occasionally which I feel could be connected to the extra intestinal manifestations of UC. But that’s just my analysis based on my suspicion. There is no confirmed diagnosis as of now
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