You’ve undergone a colonoscopy procedure, and your gastroenterologist says they found colon polyps. Now what? How concerned should you be about colon polyps? Overall, most colon polyps are harmless and easy to prevent/remove, especially in the precancerous stage.
Dr. John Saltzman, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and Director of Endoscopy at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, affirms this by stating, “they are not cancer, and most of them have not started to change into cancer. If you get them at the precancerous phase, they don’t have a chance to grow and turn into cancer.”
Nonetheless, you don’t want to leave colon polyps alone because they may develop into colon cancer over time and potentially become fatal at later stages. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, anyone can develop colon polyps. Still, it’s common among those aged 45 or older, with 15-40 percent of Americans at risk of developing or may have developed intestinal polyps.
The good news is that there are ways to detect and have the polyp removed before they grow and change into cancer. Here are some things you need to know:
Colon polyps are small growths on the lining of the large intestine (colon). They’re usually benign, meaning they won’t cause any problems, especially at early stages. However, when they start growing too fast or larger than usual, they could turn into cancer.
If you notice any changes in your bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, bleeding from the rectum, or abdominal pain, see your doctor for an examination and schedule colorectal cancer screening immediately. These symptoms could mean something more serious, like colorectal cancer.
You might experience one or more of these signs if you have colon polyps:
Several factors contribute to the development of colon polyps, including genetics, personal history, diet, obesity, smoking, and certain medications.
Precancerous polyps are not uncommon and are usually found as often as 40% of the time during colonoscopies. However, most polyps aren’t precancerous; they’re benign tumors. Most polyps don’t cause problems, but sometimes they bleed or grow large enough to press against nearby blood vessels. In rare cases, these may be early warning signs of colon cancer.
On the flip side, colon cancer is rare during a screening colonoscopy, with only about 40 out of 10,000 patients diagnosed with this type of cancer. And as we’ve stated earlier, removing a precancerous or benign polyp eliminates the risk of colon cancer.
As we’ve discovered above, colon cancer is usually detected in only 0.4% of all colonoscopy or CT colonography procedures. But how concerned should you be about colon polyps becoming cancerous? According to Roswell Park, only about 5-10% of all polyps will turn into cancer.
Please note that size is a critical determining factor of whether a polyp becomes cancerous. For example, a small polyp less than 1 cm in diameter has a very low chance of turning into cancer. On the other hand, a larger polyp measuring 1 cm or more in diameter has a much higher chance of becoming cancerous.
There are two main categories of polyps: adenomatous and hyperplastic. Adenomatous polyps are the most common type, accounting for about 70-90% of all polyps. They tend to occur in older adults and have a slightly higher rate of malignant transformation. Hyperplastic polyps are smaller than adenomas and are typically found in younger individuals.
Barely! After the complete removal of a polyp, it’s hard for it to grow back. But some people who had their polyps removed may experience them growing again. If this happens, however, it doesn’t mean that the polyps are cancerous.
If you notice any changes in your bowel movements after a colonoscopy, this is a sign to visit a gastrointestinal specialist immediately. Also, if you feel pain while passing stool, see your physician as soon as possible. Painful stools could indicate an infection or bleeding inside the body.
Colon polyps are noncancerous growths that can appear anywhere along the length of the colon. Although most polyps are benign, they can become cancerous if left untreated. Therefore, it’s important to remove these polyps before they become cancerous. A colonoscopy is one of the best ways to detect and remove polyps. It also allows doctors to check for signs of colorectal cancer and remove any abnormal tissue.
At Allied Digestive Health (ADH), we’re an integrated network of gastroenterology centers committed to providing our patients with the highest quality care. Our team of board-certified gastroenterologists, nurse practitioners, dietitians, pharmacists, and support staff work together to create personalized treatment plans for each patient. And we’re here to help you get rid of those pesky polyps once and for all. So we invite you to contact us today to schedule yours.
Everyone has an upset stomach now and then. A heavy meal, a stressful week, or a passing bug can all throw off your digestion. But some digestive symptoms are more than a temporary inconvenience.
If you live with irritable bowel syndrome and constipation, you know how frustrating it can be. Infrequent bowel movements, abdominal pain, and bloating can affect your comfort, your plans, and your overall quality of life.
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A gastroenterologist plays a crucial role in managing liver health, addressing conditions such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. These specialists are equipped to diagnose and treat liver issues, ensuring optimal digestive health.
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If you live with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you may have noticed changes in your weight that seem tied to your symptoms, whether it is unexpected gain, unwanted loss, or the frustrating bloat that makes your weight feel like a moving target. IBS does not directly cause major weight changes the way some conditions do
If you have ulcerative colitis, you may have heard that it can raise your risk of colorectal cancer, and that can be worrying to think about. The reassuring reality is that most people with ulcerative colitis never develop colorectal cancer, and the tools to manage that risk are effective and well established
The abdominal pain and cramping of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can range from a nagging ache to a flare that stops you in your tracks. If you are searching for how to relieve IBS pain, the encouraging news is that there are both quick comfort measures for the moment and longer-term strategies that can reduce how often flares happen at all.
That tight, swollen, uncomfortable feeling that shows up after eating is one of the most common digestive complaints, and it can turn an enjoyable meal into hours of discomfort. The good news is that post-meal bloating is often very manageable once you understand what causes it.
