Crohn's disease is an inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, usually involving the ileum, that can lead to debilitating symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea and malabsorption during acute exacerbations. The disease primarily affects the gastrointestinal system but other organs may be involved Because there is no known cause of the illness, treatment is based upon symptomatology and may ultimately require bowel resection if response to medical therapy is inadequate.

Clinical manifestations are heterogeneous and may vary from mild cases (abdominal pain, changes in bowel habit and weight loss) to serious complications such as acute abdomen, perineal sepsis, fistulizing disease and colorectal cancer. The course of the disease is usually relapsing but some individuals may experience continuous inflammation.

Since Crohn's Disease cannot be cured, most treatment options aim the induction and maintenance of remission by controlling inflammation. Surgery is usually recommended for non-responsive or complicated cases.