Had colonscopy in 2013. what does this mean: mild non-specific colitis near the appendiceal orifice (biopsied)?

Likely benign: Colitis is inflammation of the colon which can be infectious or autoimmune or even benign in nature. Why did you have a colonoscopy? Was it for a specific symptom? What did the biopsy show?

Mild local disease: the status of the colon is essentially managed by the microbiome. When fibrous products are degraded the FOXP3 cells are stimulated acting as regulators of inflammation and possible transformation. One can see an area of inflammation that should be biopsied to assure no field effect exists that undergoes transformation.

Endoscopy vs. Biopsy: The endoscopist might describe a more reddened area in this way, while a pathologist might use the phrase for a situation with increased lymphocytes without changes in the glands. In either case, it is probably not significant at all since it is not something one would act on or treat in any way. If worried get pathologist second opinion on the bx, esp if symptoms.

Colon biopsy: Mild, non-specific colitis means, non-specific mild inflammation. It's a vague term, not to be worried too much.

Probably normal: Sounds like a nonspecific finding and probably within the range of normal and nothing for you to be concerned about. Hope this helps.

Not definitive: Could be ur 2013 colonoscopy was normal and the biopsy was for screening. Nonspecific colitis term is for mucosae with less clear cut clinical and pathologic findings than definitive chronic syndromes,ie due to infections, diverticulitis, drug induced colitis etc. Microscopic colitis is similarly applied if with increased lymphocytes/mucosal thickening along with diarrhea. Ask your GI doc which.