A 20-year-old male patient is reporting small amounts of loose stool up to 4 times a day with bloody streaks. They also report tenesmus (an erroneous sensation of needing to pass stool), colicky abdominal pain, and urgency. Their symptoms began a month ago but they have become more frequent. On examination, the patient's vital signs are T: 100 °F HR: 84 bpm RR: 18 bpm BP: 110/70 mm Hg The patient's abdomen is mildly tender to palpation and the fecal occult blood test is positive. Laboratory studies are significant for a hemoglobin of 12 g/dL and HCT of 36%. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is elevated. Endoscopy confirms mucosal inflammation in the sigmoid colon. Which of the following is the recommended treatment for this patient?
A. Topical mesalamine (Canasa) suppository
B. Oral sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
C. Topical mesalamine suppository and oral mesalamine (Canasa)
D. Oral corticosteroid