Many healthcare providers recommend removing all polyps as a preventative measure. Even polyps that don't appear to be cancerous, precancerous or cause symptoms can continue to grow and change and become problematic later on.
If the polyp is found to be cancerous, then the patient is often referred to a surgeon. If the polyp is benign, with no signs of cancer present, then the patient may choose non-surgical removal of the polyp instead of surgery. Treatment of complex polyps requires the expertise of a highly skilled physician.
Polyps do not usually turn into cancer. But if some types of polyps (called adenomas) are not removed, there's a chance they may eventually become cancerous. Doctors believe that most bowel cancers develop from adenoma polyps.
Polyps are, by their nature, extremely proliferative cells, which means they grow at an abnormally fast rate and create many copies of themselves, just like cancer does. The more they mutate over time, the more likely it is that a mutation will eventually lead to cancer. Colon cancer is a slow-growing cancer.
"Of all the polyps that we see, only a minority will turn into cancer," he says. "Sometimes they just go away on their own, but removing polyps is thought to be one of the mechanisms by which we can prevent the formation of cancer in the first place." That's why regular screening is so important.
(That procedure is known as a polypectomy.) They have bigger arteries, and removing them may cause substantial bleeding. Removing big polyps could accidentally perforate (pierce or poke a hole in) your colon.
Most colon polyps are harmless. But over time, some colon polyps can develop into colon cancer. Colon cancer can be fatal when found in its later stages. Anyone can develop colon polyps.
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.
If the colonoscopy finds one or two small polyps (5 mm in diameter or smaller), you are considered at relatively low risk. Most people will not have to return for a follow-up colonoscopy for at least five years, and possibly longer.
Not all polyps will turn into cancer, and it may take many years for a polyp to become cancerous. Anyone can develop colon and rectal polyps, but people with the following risk factors are more likely to do so: Age 45 years and older. A family history of polyps or colon cancer.
Most polyps grow slowly and take from between 10 and 15 years to become cancerous. Due to this general time frame, most screenings are scheduled every 10 years which gives Colorectal Surgical Associates time to remove any polyps before they become cancerous.
Not all colon polyps can be removed during a routine colonoscopy. Larger colon polyps are more difficult to remove, and require a specialist. If a routine colonoscopy screening reveals you have large colon polyps, your doctor may recommend that you have surgery.
Common Symptoms of Colon Polyps
Changes in Bowel Movements – Sometimes colon polyps can lead to constipation or diarrhea that persists for longer than a week, as well as general changes in bowel habits.
Are all polyps precancerous? Not all polyps are precancerous or cancerous. Sometimes the nature of a polyp can be distinguished based on how it looks during a colonoscopy. But only removal for examination under a microscope by a pathologist can accurately determine if a polyp is precancerous.
Foods to limit
Research suggests that eating less of the following foods may have health benefits and may lower your chances of developing polyps: fatty foods, such as fried foods. red meat, such as beef and pork. processed meat, such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and lunch meats.
A polyp is a growth inside of your body. Most aren't cancerous (benign), but a polyp contains abnormal cells or cells that may become abnormal (malignant). A polyp is usually a flat bump or shaped like a mushroom.
A gastroenterologist, the specialist who usually performs a colonoscopy, can't tell for certain if a colon polyp is precancerous or cancerous until it's removed and examined under a microscope.
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.
But some colon cancers may start as polyps. So, the more polyps you have, the higher your cancer risk. Someone with just one or two small polyps is generally at lower risk of having or developing colon cancer than someone with three to nine, or more.
It takes approximately 10 years for a small polyp to develop into cancer. Family history and genetics — Polyps and colon cancer tend to run in families, suggesting that genetic factors are important in their development.
There's no upper age limit for colon cancer screening. But most medical organizations in the United States agree that the benefits of screening decline after age 75 for most people and there's little evidence to support continuing screening after age 85. Discuss colon cancer screening with your health care provider.
Research indicates that as many as 60 percent of polyps may grow back within three years. Also, about 30 percent of patients who've had polyps removed will develop new ones. This is why it is important to talk to the care team about follow-up screening within five years after the polyps are removed.
The most common types of polyps are hyperplastic and adenomatous. The former has no potential to become cancerous, but adenomatous polyps can turn into cancer if not removed, and in adults, you have an increased chance of developing more polyps.
In multivariable analysis, the presence of 5 or more polyps at index colonoscopy was found to be associated with the risk of metachronous HR-CRN (OR, 2.575, p = 0.049) after adjusting for risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes, and smoking.