Patients with ulcerative colitis can be treated effectively with a class of medications called thiopurines . But taking these medications over a long period of time can have some negative effects.

Inflammatory bowel diseases ( IBD ) such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are major risk factors for colorectal cancer. Why? Because these diseases cause constant inflammation - something cancer thrives on.

A class of drugs is now under suspicion of causing cancer in children, adolescents and young adults under the age of 30. These are called Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) blockers, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released an update regarding its ongoing safety review of these drugs.

Scientists have discovered that a genetically altered version of a probiotic found in yogurt and cheese can be used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBS) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Researchers have identified a potential vaccine capable of reducing the colonization of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a known cause of gastritis, ulcer disease and cancer.