Before you go home, your doctor tells you if they removed any growths (polyps) or tissue samples (biopsies) from your bowel. The biopsy results can take up to 2 weeks.
How long does it take for a polyp to turn into cancer? The growth and mutation of colon polyps into cancer is a slow process, taking an estimated 10 years on average.
Most polyps are benign (not cancerous). Your doctor can tell if a colon polyp is cancerous during a colonoscopy by collecting tissue to biopsy. The results of the biopsy are typically sent to your doctor within a week. Only 5% to 10% of all polyps become cancerous.
Polyps are common in American adults, and while many colon polyps are harmless, over time, some polyps could develop into colon cancer. While the majority of colon cancers start as polyps, only 5-10% of all polyps will become cancerous. The size of a polyp typically does make a difference.
If a doctor discovers polyps, they will often remove them via a colonoscopy or laparoscopy. The doctor will then send any removed polyps to a pathologist for a biopsy to see if cancer is present. If the biopsy reveals that cancer is present, then cancer specialists will outline a treatment plan for the person.
Once polyps are removed they are sent to a lab for analysis. Most biopsies are normal, but if you had one polyp, you are more at risk for others. In this case, Colorectal Surgical Associates may move up your next screening. If the entire polyp was removed, you may not need any additional treatment.
They can occur anywhere in the large intestine or rectum, but are more commonly found in the left colon, sigmoid colon, or rectum.
Some types of colon polyps are more likely to become cancerous than others. A doctor who specializes in analyzing tissue samples (pathologist) will examine your polyp tissue under a microscope to determine whether it is potentially cancerous.
Approximately 1% of polyps with a diameter less than 1 centimeter (cm) are cancerous. More than one polyp or a polyp that is 1 cm or bigger places you at higher risk for colon cancer. Up to 50% of polyps greater than 2 cm (about the diameter of a nickel) are cancerous.
In most cases, only a polypectomy and/or a local excision is needed to treat this stage of cancer. A polypectomy or local excision involves removing the polyp in its entirety during a colonoscopy. Additional treatment may be needed if a polyp or tumor is too big to be removed through local excision.
If your doctor discovers a polyp in your body, they'll likely perform a biopsy. During a polyp biopsy, a sample of tissue is removed and analyzed under a microscope.
If your doctor finds one or two polyps less than 0.4 inch (1 centimeter) in diameter, he or she may recommend a repeat colonoscopy in 7 to 10 years, depending on your other risk factors for colon cancer. Your doctor will recommend another colonoscopy sooner if you have: More than two polyps.
Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths are called polyps. Some types of polyps can change into cancer over time (usually many years), but not all polyps become cancer. The chance of a polyp turning into cancer depends on the type of polyp it is.
Adenomas: Many colon polyps are the precancerous type, called adenomas. It can take seven to 10 or more years for an adenoma to evolve into cancer—if it ever does. Overall, only 5% of adenomas progress to cancer, but your individual risk is hard to predict.
Colon polyp development involves genetic and epigenetic changes and environmental effectors such as stress in this process can drive the normal colonic epithelial cells to hyperplastic and adenomas [25-27].
One factor is the location of the polyp. Detecting right-sided polyps can be more challenging due to the shape of colonic folds and need for complete colonoscopy. Right-sided lesions can be indicative of increased risk of recurrence of advanced adenomas.
Most women feel better within the first week following surgery; however, do not lift, push or pull any heavy objects for a couple of weeks. Do not resume sexual intercourse or douche until your doctor says it is OK. Full recovery takes about two weeks to allow for internal healing.
A polypectomy lasts about 30 to 60 minutes and is an outpatient procedure, allowing patients to return home the same day. They should be back to a normal routine as soon as the next day.
A polypectomy is a minimally invasive procedure. Most polypectomies don't even require cutting into your body to access the polyp. They can usually be managed internally, with medical instruments passed through the natural openings in your body.
A polyp is the result of genetic changes in the cells of the colon lining that affect the normal cell life cycle. Many factors can increase the risk or rate of these changes. Factors are related to your diet, lifestyle, older age, gender and genetics or hereditary issues.
Results: Mean number of initial polyps were 2.2 and advanced polyps were observed in 40% of the patients. The cumulative recurrence rate of colon polyp was 13.8% within 1 year, and 60% within 3 years, while that of advanced polyps was 2.5% and 31% within 1 and 3 years, respectively.
A colonoscopy is the best way to diagnose and prevent bowel cancer. For most people it is a straightforward test. However, as with most medical tests, complications may occur. If you are at average or slightly above average risk of bowel cancer, screening every two years is recommended.