Polyps
Information on polyps
By Jarrett Kruse
Polyps are growths in your large intestine. The cause of most of these colon polyps is not known but they are very common in adults. Most polyps turn out to be non-cancerous growths but a very few types of colon polyp can turn into cancer but it usually takes many years for that to happen. So that being said, cancer and polyps are not synonymous when it comes to colonic health. People over 50 are more likely than younger people to get colon cancer. So experts recommend that everyone age 50 or older have a screening test to look for colon polyps. Finding and removing colon polyps can prevent colon cancer.
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A person can have colon polyps and not know it because they usually do not cause symptoms. They are usually found during routine screening tests for colon cancer. A screening test looks for signs of a disease when there are no symptoms. However, if polyps become larger, they can cause symptoms. There may be rectal bleeding, diarrhea, constipation, going to the bathroom more often or less, or a change in the way your stool looks. The treatment for polyps varies from everything from stool tests, Barium enemas, colonoscopy’s, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and a virtual colonoscopy.
Removal is the main treatment for polyps that pose a cancer risk. Most polyps can be removed during the same procedure used to detect them (colonoscopy). The polyps can be snared with a wire loop that simultaneously cuts and cauterizes (burns) their roots to prevent bleeding. Polyps that are too large to snare or that can’t be safely reached during a colonoscopy can usually be removed with minimally invasive surgery. Bleeding in the digestive tract is a symptom of a disease rather than a disease itself. Bleeding can occur as the result of a number of different conditions, some of which are life threatening like a perforated colon. Most causes of bleeding are related to conditions that can be cured or controlled, such as ulcers, diverticulitis or hemorrhoids. The cause of bleeding may not be serious, but locating the source of bleeding is important. After removal, the polyps are analyzed by a pathologist to determine if cancer is present, important in developing a treatment and monitoring plan.
