Not every operation is appropriate for every person. Which surgery to have depends on the severity of the disease and the patient's needs, expectations, and lifestyle. Patient advocacy organizations can direct people to support groups and other information resources. Most people with ulcerative colitis will never need to have surgery. If surgery ever does become necessary, however, some people find comfort in knowing that after the surgery, the colitis is cure.
Most people go on to live normal, active lives.
About 5 percent of people with ulcerative colitis develop colon cancer . The risk of cancer increases with the duration and the extent of involvement of the colon. For example, if only the lower colon and rectum are involved, the risk of cancer is not higher than normal. However, if the entire colon is involved, the risk of cancer may be as great as 32 times the normal rate. Sometimes, precancerous changes occur in the cells lining the colon.