Another kind of pre-cancerous condition is called dysplasia. Dysplasia is an area in the lining
of the colon or rectum where the cells look abnormal (but not like true cancer cells) when
viewed under a microscope. These cells can change into cancer over time. Dysplasia is
usually seen in people who have had diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease for
many years. Both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease cause chronic inflammation of the
colon.