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A colon polyp is a lump of tissue that forms within the inner lining of the colon. They’re a type of tumor, a cluster or mass of abnormal cells. Polyps are tumors that grow out of the mucous lining inside your hollow organs, like your gastrointestinal tract, your nose, or female reproductive organs. Most colon polyps are completely harmless, but they can become cancerous, especially those that begin to grow larger over time.
Unfortunately, it is often very difficult to determine whether or not an individual has colon polyps without conducting an endoscopic procedure to actually take a look inside of the colon. Small polyps are particularly unlikely to present any symptoms, though a few people with colon polyps have reported one or more of the following occurrences:
Failure to address or diagnose colon polyps during routine examinations (such as your regularly scheduled colonoscopy) can often lead to a delayed diagnosis of colon cancer, which becomes drastically more fatal in its later stages.
There are two primary categories when it comes to colon polyps, which include neoplastic and non-neoplastic. It is uncommon for non-neoplastic polyp types to develop into colon cancer, and even neoplastic types are often found to be completely non-cancerous. The real worry begins if the polyp is determined to be an adenomatous or villous adenomas.
Adenomas are part of the neoplastic polyp type and are extremely common. Approximately two-thirds of all polyps found within the colon are determined to be an adenoma, meaning that this type of polyp is not definitively cancerous, but its risk of being so is increased.
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Most colon polyps and many colorectal cancers won’t cause any symptoms. This is why screening — testing for diseases before you have symptoms — is so important. Usually, by the time you do have symptoms, the polyp has already turned into cancer.
Possible symptoms, though uncommon, include:
Signs of colorectal bleeding. If you have bleeding polyps, you might notice blood in your poop or when you wipe. A slow bleed might not be visible, but after a while, you might feel it. You might develop iron deficiency anemia, which causes side effects like weakness and fatigue.
Unexplained poop changes. Rarely, do some people suddenly develop chronic diarrhea or constipation or start seeing excess mucus in their poop. These symptoms have many more likely causes than polyps, but they’re worth checking out, especially if you can’t explain them.
The majority of all colon polyps are found during a routine procedure such as a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. If one or multiple polyps are found, your gastroenterologist will extract the tissues and send them to the lab for testing to determine their composition and whether or not they have the potential to become cancerous.
There are, of course, several influential factors that can affect a person’s chances of developing colon polyps as well as colon cancer. Polyps are more likely to occur as we age, and so all adults over the age of 50 should be regularly checked for the presence of these tissue formations.
Your risk also increases if you have a family history of colon cancer. Depending on your situation, your gastroenterologist may recommend that you begin receiving routine screenings before 50 years of age in order to help catch any abnormal mutations in the colon tissue early on.
Although it is impossible to control one’s age or family history, it is possible to limit your risk for colon cancer by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise, and to avoid drinking alcohol in excessive amounts.
The easiest way to avoid complications from colon polyps is to receive regular examinations and tests from your gastroenterologist. Even if these findings turn out to be inconclusive, it is still possible for polyps to form in the colon at any time for anyone.
Dr. Jonathan Erlich is a highly trained gastroenterologist with extensive experience diagnosing and treating patients with Hepatitis C. Call (773) 631-2728 to request an appointment or fill in the form below.
7447 W Talcott,
Suite 209
Chicago, IL 60631
(773) 631-2728
(872) 328-4880
Or click on the link below to fill out the form.
Monday to Friday between 8.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. (CET)
