The lining of a healthy colon is continually updating itself, replacing older cells, as they break down, with new ones. The old cells are then sloughed off into the stool. If something disturbs the normal sloughing process, an abnormal group of these older cells can collect and form a polyp. Are there different kinds of polyps?
Most polyps remain small and harmless — we call these hyperplastic polyps. But some develop other abnormalities and begin to grow unchecked — these are called adenomatous polyps. We refer to adenomatous polyps as pre-cancerous polyps because they are not cancerous yet, but they have the potential to become cancerous.
Given enough time to grow and develop, some adenomatous polyps can spread into surrounding tissues and infiltrate the two highway systems of the body: the bloodstream and the lymph nodes. Hyperplastic polyps: These polyps are not precancerous. Doctors generally remove them anyway, just to be safe. Adenomas: Two-thirds of 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. Doctors remove all the adenomas they find.
Sessile serrated polyps: Once thought harmless, this type of adenoma is now known to be risky. These are also removed. After polyps are removed, you will need to return for an additional colonoscopy. How soon you need to return for follow-up depends largely on the size of the polyps found in the first exam. Whenever you have a colonoscopy , you should have the highest quality exam possible so the doctor can find all the polyps. During the colon-cleansing " prep " before the colonoscopy, follow the instructions to the letter.
Eating a low-fiber diet for four to five days may improve the quality of the prep, Dr. There are several types of colon polyps, including some that can turn into colon cancer. However, the majority of colon polyps are harmless. There are two main types of colon polyps: non-neoplastic and neoplastic. Non-neoplastic polyps are less likely to become cancerous and include hyperplastic, inflammatory, and hamartomatous polyps.
Neoplastic polyps include adenomas, the most common type of pre-cancerous polyps. Adenomas have the possibility of becoming cancerous in the future, and the risk of colon cancer increases as the polyp grows larger.
Regular screening tests, like a colonoscopy, are important. The exact cause of colon polyps is unknown, but it appears lifestyle and environmental factors make an impact. Those 50 and above are more likely to develop colon polyps, which is why doctors recommend screening for colon cancer at age African Americans are more likely to develop colon cancer, and screening may be recommended before age Genetic factors are important since polyps and colon cancer tend to run in families. Those with a family history of colon polyps should begin colon cancer screenings earlier than In rare cases, people inherit genetic conditions that make them more likely to develop polyps and colorectal cancer.
The most common procedure involves physically removing the polyp using a wire loop. This happens during a procedure called a colonoscopy. During a colonoscopy a flexible tube called a colonoscope is passed through your bottom and up into your bowel.
The colonoscope has a wire attached to it through which an electric current is passed. The wire is used to either burn off cauterise or cut off snare the polyp. Both methods are painless. After the polyp or polyps have been removed, they're sent to specialists in a laboratory, who'll inform your consultant if:. If there's a cancerous change in the polyp, you may need further treatment depending on the degree and extent of change.
The exact cause of bowel polyps is not known. It's thought they're caused by the body producing too many cells in the lining of the bowel.
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