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Polyps in Your Colon?
For those of you who have been given the news, "You have polyps in your colon", you might be having a great deal of questions out there as to what this means? Do you have colon cancer? Could this happen again? Fortunately, there is a lot of information out there regarding polyps in your colon and, as with many medical issues, knowledge can give you power.
Colon polyps are small collections of cells that occur on the inner aspect of the colon. They can be on a stalk or be flat or somewhere in between. Colon polyps can be pea-sized or the size of a large marble or golf ball. They can also be completely and forever benign or they can convert into colon cancer. The problem is that doctors cannot tell which polyps will always be benign and which ones will turn into cancer. This is why colon polyps that can be removed during colonoscopy are removed at the time the procedure is done.
Polyps in colon can develop in just about anyone. Those who are fifty years of age or older, are overweight, eat a high fat diet, don't get enough fiber in their diet or are a smoker are at higher risk of getting polyps in colon. Those with family histories of colon cancer or colon polyps are also at higher risk of developing colon polyps.
Will you experience any symptoms with a colon polyp? Probably not, but there are a few signs and symptoms you need to be aware of because you could have colon polyps or colon cancer. Some of these symptoms include:
- Bleeding after having a bowel movement. This kind of bleeding shows up as streaks of blood on the toilet paper after you wipe. If you have this, you could just have hemorrhoids but it is still a good idea to have it checked with a colonoscopy. Even people with hemorrhoids can also have polyps in colon tissue.
- Blood mixed in with your stool. This can be red blood-streaked stool or can be maroon-colored stool or even black stool. The blood turns black if it sits among the stool for a period of time so black stool is important to watch for.
- Narrow stool, constipation or diarrhea. This means that just about any change in your stool habits should spur you to have your colon checked. Other things can cause a change in the stool which can be addressed once colon cancer is ruled out.
- Pain in the abdomen or complete blockage of your stool. This can happen if you have very big polyps in colon and means you need to see the doctor sooner rather than later.
Why do we get Polyps?
Most polyps you'll find on your colon are not cancerous but they are a result of cell growth that has gotten out of control. The "out of control" part of the colon is the lining of the colon, which is why the polyps usually stick out into the lumen of the colon. The healthier cells of the colon grow in an organized fashion and do not divide on their own as do cancerous cells. Polyp cell growth is out of control but it is not to the extent that cancer grows. If the polyp grows long enough, however, the cells can grow wildly out of control and will no longer be polyps in colon but will be full-blown colon cancer. The wild growth of these polyps and of colon cancer occurs because the genes within the polyp are abnormal and don't respond to normal inhibiting growth factors.
Types of Colon Polyps
There are three basic types of colon polyps. Let's take a look at these three types:
- Hyperplastic polyps. These represent a third or so of total colon polyps. They occur primarily on your left side and inside the rectum. They tend to be small, about a half centimeter and are hardly ever cancerous.
- Adenomatous polyps. These represent about two-thirds of polyps. People develop cancer most from this kind of polyp. On the other hand, few of these types of polyps actually turn into cancer.
- Inflammatory Polyps. These are polyps found in people who have inflammatory colitis of some kind. They have a minor risk of turning into colon cancer and are relatively rare.
Inherited Syndromes related to Polyps
Some families have diseases within the family that contribute to members who get colon polyps and colon cancer. They are not common but if you are a member of that type of family, you need to be checked out relatively frequently for polyps on your colon.
- Familial adenomatous polyposis. This is a genetic disorder where individuals afflicted with this can develop up to many thousands of polyps, beginning as a teenager. You have practically a hundred percent chance of getting colon cancer if you do not have the polyps treated, which may mean removing a segment or more of the colon. You can have genetic testing to see if you have the disease, especially if other family members are afflicted. You can also get small bowel cancer, even duodenal cancer.
- MYH-Associated Polyposis. It is similar to familial polyposis syndrome in that you get polyps early in age and have a high colon cancer risk. This is a disease we don't know much about; however, genetic testing is available that tells you if you are at risk for this uncommon disease.
- Gardner's syndrome. This is not a very common disease. Polyps develop in the small and large bowel and can get noncancerous tumors in other body parts. It can affect the skin, bone and abdominal tissue.
- Lynch syndrome. This is an inherited form of colon cancer but colon polyps are not a big part of the disease.
- Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome. This involves individuals who develop an abnormal amount of freckles and, later in life, develop an increased risk of developing colon cancer.
What do I do about my colon polyps?
It is a good idea to get a colonoscopy, beginning at the age of fifty. If you have polyps, they can be removed through the colonoscope so you just have to have one procedure. Those polyps are checked for cancer and further treatment, including when you have your next colonoscopy, are determined based on the results of the pathology.
Related pages:
- Facts on Colon Cancer - Knowing the facts on colon cancer can save your life.
- Colon Cancer Stages - Colon Cancer Stages describes the stages of colon cancer from zero to four. With each stage, it explains the degree of seriousness and the relative ease or difficulty of cure depending on the stage. The page also describes the anatomy of the colon and explains what a polyp is and how it can cause...
- What is Cancer? - What is Cancer provides concrete information on what cancer actually is. It continues to explain what happens to cancer cells and how the cells can create a ‘mass’ called a tumor ,or even push its way through a...
- What Causes Colon Cancer? - What Causes Colon Cancer discusses the various causes of colon cancer, such as how cancer cells come about and what they are. In addition it also explores various possible origins of cancer. Within each cause it goes into brief detail of what this specific issue can do to harm your body and the risk factor...
- Best Cancer Hospitals - 10 Best Cancer Hospitals gives a list of 10 well respected hospitals in the U.S that specialize in treating cancer. Furthermore it gives advice on how to seek a doctor fit for you and your treatment. You are provided with valuable information on how to make your decision on which doctor will be a best fit for your particular cancer, also advising you to always get a second...
- Hospital Insurance - Hospital insurance issues discusses common insurance concerns. You are encouraged to ask your health insurance provider specific questions which are listed on this page. In addition the page gives guidance on how to...
- Women Colon Cancer Patients - Women Colon Cancer Patients discusses how most people automatically assume that male colon cancer patients outnumber women, but in actuality there are slightly more women diagnosed with colon cancer. The page continues to explain the benefits of a colonoscopy and encourages you to...
- Types of Polyps - Types of Polyps lists the most common polyps. It goes on to describe each polyp and how dangerous the polyp could be to your body. Being aware of the different polyps is vital for cancer prevention and to...
- Colonoscopy Risks - Colonoscopy risks are rare but significant. This page explains how the benefits outweigh the risks, and goes on to express how the risks should not prevent anyone from getting screened. A colonoscopy is a crucial procedure for anyone over the age of 50 or if...
- Small Intestine Cancer - Women Colon Cancer Patients discusses how most people automatically assume that male colon cancer patients outnumber women, but in actuality there are slightly more women diagnosed with colon cancer. The page continues to explain the benefits of a colonoscopy and encourages you to...
- Sigmoid Colon - This page describes the anatomy of the sigmoid colon. It explains the colon’s main function, which is to absorb water and minerals and make and eliminate feces. Sigmoid cancer starts in the inner layer of tissue in the wall of the colon and rectum. Some important prevention methods are to maintain a healthy diet and...
- Famous People With Colon Cancer - This page illustrates the fact that famous people get cancer too! A long list of famous people with colon cancer is provided. The page briefly talks about Katie Couric and her bold attempt to raise colon cancer awareness by...
- Famous People With Cancer - Famous people with Cancer answers a question we’ve all been dying to know which is, how do famous people with cancer get special medical care? The page gives us Mr. Josephs story and how he took action against the big fight called cancer. He was not famous but...
- Cancer Costs - This page gives advice on how to deal with high cancer costs. It explains how essential it is to find out exactly how much your treatments will cost you and what your insurance provider intends to cover. You are encouraged to talk to your employer or explore other options if needed such as...
- Cost of Chemotherapy - The High Cost of Chemotherapy page gives guidance for alternative options in support of patients who cannot afford the cost of their treatment. Statistics show that 12% of colon cancer patients spend over 25,000 dollars out of pocket and...
- Gardner Syndrome - - Gardner Syndrome is a genetic disease that causes a person to have extra growths called polyps. Usually polyps are not cancerous but with this disease the polyps are 100% cancerous. If Gardner Syndrome runs in your family it is critical that you get screened as early as 10 to 12 years of age. Gardner Syndrome can also be originated from...
- History of Colon Cancer - This page discusses how vital it is for one to know about the history of colon cancer, especially if you have a family history of colon cancer. If any of your direct ancestors have had colon cancer then you are at high risk. The page also talks about the history of colon cancer treatment and provides a list of alternative therapies. Alternative therapies have been effective for some but...
- Types of Colon Polyps - There are 4 primary types of colon polyps. The two most common types are adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps. Polyps are not always be cancerous, and if detected early they can be easily removed. Getting a colonoscopy is the best way to prevent polyps from becoming cancerous. Polyps occur in about 30 to...
- Colonoscopy Sedation - Colonoscopy sedation is effective with various drugs and sometimes hypnosis. Two common colonoscopy sedation drugs are Versed and Propofol. Versed is commonly used as an anti-anxiety drug, it causes you to go into a state of deep relaxation or sleep and also causes amnesia. Propofol is a more powerful drug and is mainly used with patients who take narcotics for pain, unfortunately not all...
- Colon Cancer Prognosis - Colon cancer prognosis can vary for each stage of colon cancer. The prognosis at this point is typically a five year survival rate of less than 5 %. But keep in mind that...
- Lynch Syndrome - Lynch syndrome is an inherited disease that increases the chances of getting cancer. If you have this disease it is imporatant that you get screened regularly. Some of the symptoms can include...
- Health Insurance for Cancer - Health insurance for cancer is an insurance personally tailored to your situation and is usually some combination of major medical and supplemental cancer insurance. Since major medical insurance isn't always enough it's...
- Polyps in Colon - This article talks about colon polyps, benign lesions on the colon that may or may not lead to cancer of the colon. Most polyps on the colon need to be removed on the chance that they could lead to cancer. Some families have members with multiple polyps on their colons. These families need careful follow-up and treatment of their polyps.
- Top Cancer Hospitals - If you’ve been recently diagnosed with cancer, you have a lot of decisions to make. You want to go to the very best place available to you for your cancer treatment. A top cancer hospital has specialists that are the best in their field of cancer care. If you have colon cancer...
- Colon Surgery - Colon surgery can be done to remove benign or cancerous lesions of the colon. Doctors can do laparoscopic surgery or open surgery, depending on the type of lesion to be removed.
- List of Hospitals - If you have cancer, you are probably scared and want a list of hospitals that might help you. This article will help you find that list of hospitals you need to make the right choices in your care.
