Which option is considered curative for ulcerative colitis?

Which option is considered curative for ulcerative colitis?

• A. 5-ASA
• B. Infliximab
• C. 6-Mercaptopurine
• D. Colectomy

Answer: (D)

The key point is that ulcerative colitis affects only the colon. Removing the colon eliminates the tissue that drives the disease, so symptoms and inflammation in the bowel stop—making colectomy a curative option for this condition. Other treatments like 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA) reduce inflammation and help maintain remission but do not remove the diseased tissue, so the disease can recur. Infliximab, a biologic anti-TNF medication, and 6-mercaptopurine are immunosuppressants that control disease activity and can maintain remission, yet they do not cure the underlying problem; the disease can flare if therapy is stopped or loses effectiveness. After colectomy, intestinal symptoms resolve, though some extraintestinal manifestations or complications such as pouchitis can occur if a reconstructive procedure like an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is performed.

The key point is that ulcerative colitis affects only the colon. Removing the colon eliminates the tissue that drives the disease, so symptoms and inflammation in the bowel stop—making colectomy a curative option for this condition.

Other treatments like 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASA) reduce inflammation and help maintain remission but do not remove the diseased tissue, so the disease can recur. Infliximab, a biologic anti-TNF medication, and 6-mercaptopurine are immunosuppressants that control disease activity and can maintain remission, yet they do not cure the underlying problem; the disease can flare if therapy is stopped or loses effectiveness.

After colectomy, intestinal symptoms resolve, though some extraintestinal manifestations or complications such as pouchitis can occur if a reconstructive procedure like an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is performed.