Below is the part of the pathology report from my colonoscopy in April. I was told I have MC but given very little information. When I asked what type of MC, the nurse said "probably lymphocytic" but she didn't sound like she really knew.
I was just wondering if anyone could shed any further light on what was found, in particular what was said about the sigmoid biopsies. Those showed "chronic colitis"....is that different from MC? Is that treatable with diet and anti inflammatory drugs the way MC is? I have had problems with urgency for years (D started in the Spring and I am thinking is due to MC found in right colon), and I am thinking maybe it is due to the sigmoid finding. I just want to know if it likely to go away.
Right Colon Biopsies (changes consistent with MC)
The specimen consists of multiple well preserved and well oriented segments of benign colonic mucosa showing a mixed inflammatory infiltrate within the lamina propria with individual inflammatory cells present within the surface mucosa and within gland walls.
Sigmoid Biopsies: Chronic Colitis
The specimen consists of multiple well preserved and well oriented segments of benign colonic mucosa showing architectural changes of glands (glands branching and dropout)
Thanks so much to anyone who can help. I plan to ask my gastro when I see her next but I am not sure exactly when that will be, and I actually feel more confident with answers I find here on this website.
Robin
Can anyone explain what this means?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
-
robinc2525
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 7:29 am
Hi Robin,
The description of the pathologist's opinion of the biopsy samples taken from the right side colon clearly describes lymphocytic colitis (LC).
Regarding the notes from the examination of the sigmoid colon, normally, MC (or LC or CC) does not involve a significant amount of architectural changes, such as physical changes to the crypts (sometimes referred to as glands). Histological changes of those types (i. e. crypt branching or dropout) are usually associated with other types of IBD. However, MC is sometimes associated with limited architectural changes to the crypts, and since no other indications or opinions were noted in the report, apparently the pathologist did not consider these architectural changes to be significant enough to suggest any additional diagnosis.
They may simply be residual damage from long-term diarrhea. There is also reason to believe that long-term untreated MC can sometimes result in an increased level of changes in the crypt architecture. IOW, the histological changes in the sigmoid colon may simply be evidence of damage caused by long-term inflammation that occurred for years before your LC diagnosis.
I hope this helps.
Tex
The description of the pathologist's opinion of the biopsy samples taken from the right side colon clearly describes lymphocytic colitis (LC).
Regarding the notes from the examination of the sigmoid colon, normally, MC (or LC or CC) does not involve a significant amount of architectural changes, such as physical changes to the crypts (sometimes referred to as glands). Histological changes of those types (i. e. crypt branching or dropout) are usually associated with other types of IBD. However, MC is sometimes associated with limited architectural changes to the crypts, and since no other indications or opinions were noted in the report, apparently the pathologist did not consider these architectural changes to be significant enough to suggest any additional diagnosis.
They may simply be residual damage from long-term diarrhea. There is also reason to believe that long-term untreated MC can sometimes result in an increased level of changes in the crypt architecture. IOW, the histological changes in the sigmoid colon may simply be evidence of damage caused by long-term inflammation that occurred for years before your LC diagnosis.
I hope this helps.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
-
robinc2525
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 7:29 am
As our diet changes take effect and the inflammation subsides, our gut will slowly heal and those architectural and other histological changes will slowly return to normal. IOW, after a few years of healing, biopsy samples examined under a microscope should appear normal, with no signs of damage (assuming that we remain careful with our diet).
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
-
robinc2525
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 75
- Joined: Sat Jun 08, 2013 7:29 am