Question About Colon Polyps

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Yesterday I had a colonoscopy. A small polyp was found, and a sample taken for biopsy. It was burned off during the procedure. I have a couple of questions. 1. If the biopsy comes back positive, what further actions are likely? Will there be further treatment, like surgery or radiation? I am sure I will have more frequent colonoscopies in the future. 2. I read that cure rates of colon cancer are best if it is confined to the mucosa. But in my case, if cancer is found, can they really determine its tissue location if only a small sample was taken for analysis.

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Den413

Isn't anybody reading and responding to these messages????? OK... so I found out the answer to my question .. at least question # 2. I found out how a polyp is removed... the polyp is lassoed with a wire loop, which is heated electrically, causing the little buger to be burned-off at the stalk. The entire excised polyp is sucked back through a tube (I think) and saved for biopsy. I'll speculate on an answer to my question #1. I'm guessing that if cancer cells are found at the burn-off margin, that is more worrysome, and that surgical removal of a section of the colon (along with some lymph nodes) would be indicated. On the other hand if cancer cells are not found at the margin and are seen only in upper tissue layers, the situation is more favorable ... only more frequent colonoscopies would be required in the future. Can someone confirm or negate my speculations... please?

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Ian_c

Colon cancer usually develops from a polyp that turns cancerous. In your apparent case, you only had one polyp which was removed. It is unlikely that this going to be cancerous but the biopsy will tell you for sure. Many people have numerous polyps. Did you have any symptoms that caused you to seek a colonoscopy? Is there colon cancer in the family, what is your age - there are numerous risk factors. In your case it may just be that the polyp was removed, is non cancerous and you will be scheduled for a follow-up in 2-5 yrs. If it is determined that there is cancer, the stage would be determined then surgery if required. After surgery, there is the possibility of chemo and/or radiation. Try not to worry yourself at this stage. It is very curable if discovered in the early stages. Ian C

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Den413

Thank you, Ian, for your clear and informative response. Relevant background information in my case: My colonoscopy was done as part a routine physical exam. I had no symptoms or complaints that were related to the colon or abdomen. I had a sigmoidoscopy 5 years ago with no abnormalities found. Interestingly, the polyp they found was located in the left side of the colon, that is, in the same region that was scanned during my previous sigmoidoscopy. This means this polyp is <= 5 years old. I have no family history of colon cancer. I am 62 years old.. (or, putting it a little differently, I now get senior discounts without having to ask for them... lol)

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Buckoo

I had a colonoscope done a number of years ago as part of work-up done on irritable bowel syndrome.X-rays, barium swallow, had indicated a small mass in the colon behind my liver. Technician thought mass could be enlarged appendix but, that had been removed 15 years earlier. Colonscope exam "discovered " the mass and thought it might be related to prior appendectomy. The surgeon excised the mass and it turned out to be a benign polyp. Doctor advised follow-up exam at six months and every couple of years there-after. Doctors felt prevention was warranted because if a polyp grew, re-appeared, it could, if left undetected, wthin three to five years, become cancerous. Caution and prevention is obviously preferrable. Wayne

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