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Non-cancerous Colon Polyps
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Colon Polyps are mushroom-shaped abnormal growths that line the large
intestine and protrude into the intestinal canal. Polyps are one of the most
common conditions affecting the colon and rectum, occurring in 15% to 20% of
adults.9
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Symptoms 1
Most polyps produce no symptoms and often are found incidentally during an
endoscopy, or x-ray, of the bowel. Some polyps, however, can produce bleeding,
mucus discharge, alteration in bowel function, or, in rare cases, abdominal
pain.
Find out more about treatment options.
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Types of Colon Polyps5
Enough is now known about polyps that physicians generally place patients in
one of three categories:
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The “ordinary” polyp—Most sporadic polyps occur between the
ages of 40 and 60. There may be only one or two present, and they may take 10
years or more to become cancerous. There is a hereditary link.
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Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)—This is a true hereditary
condition in which the entire colon is studded with hundreds, even thousands,
of polyps. They begin early, even under the age of 10 years. Virtually every
patient with this condition will eventually develop colon cancer. The only
known preventive treatment is surgical removal of the colon. Fortunately, the
condition is not common.
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Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer)—This
disorder is more common than familial adenomatous polyposis, but less so than
the ordinary polyp. There is a strong tendency for adenoma-type polyps to
occur in close blood relatives, such as sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, and
children. More polyps are seen, and they are seen at an early age. Polyps, and
even cancer, occur at earlier ages: in the 40s, the 30s, and even in the 20s.
In some families, there is also an increased incidence of breast, ovarian, and
other cancers. A family history of this type warrants very close surveillance
of all direct blood relatives.
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The Importance of Screening
Because non-cancerous colon polyps can develop into colon
cancer, screening and early detection are important for helping people
with colon polyps detect and treat them. Screening for colon polyps is
important for two reasons:
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Early detection and removal of colon polyps will prevent their subsequent
development into colorectal cancer.
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The detection of localized polyps, even in patients with no symptoms, will
increase the surgical cure rate for colon polyps.
Find out about what types of tests are used for colon polyps, how to get a screening
test for colon polyps, and what the symptoms of colon polyps are.
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In this section of ColonSurgeryInfo.com, you can:
Look into surgical treatment options
for colon polyps, so that you can have a meaningful discussion with your
physician. Download, print out, and read a brochure
on colon polyps to help you understand your diagnosis and options for
therapy. Read the success story of
a patient who chose minimally invasive colon surgery to treat her colon polyps.
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