Colonic polyp question at Irishtimes.com!

What is a colonic polyp?

Is colonic polyp dangerous? QUESTION: I am 55 years of age and have had a colonoscopy and biopsy of a large polyp in my bowel. My father died of colon cancer at age 60. I am concerned this will be cancer and if so what are the implications?

ANSWER: A Hopefully your results will show a benign polyp, but even so the entire polyp will need to be removed and fully examined and you will need further colonoscopies in the future to determine if you have developed more polyps. Your situation highlights the importance of colonoscopy (telescope test of the bowel) especially with a family history of colorectal cancer. Colonic polyps are small benign growths on the inside lining of the bowel. If undetected, they can gradually enlarge over many years. If left untreated the cells within these polyps can change (dysplasia) and ultimately turn into invasive bowel cancer. Once cancer develops there is potential for spread outside the bowel. Routine colonoscopy before the onset of symptoms, with identification and removal of polyps, can prevent cancer. Colonoscopy is essential for those with a strong family history of colon cancer and in some countries routine colonoscopy for everyone over the age of 50 years is recommended. Should your biopsies demonstrate cancer you will need referral to a specialist colorectal surgeon for investigation and treatment in a centre with full modern diagnostic and therapeutic facilities where a specialist multidisciplinary team with expertise in bowel cancer will co-ordinate your care. This team will include cancer surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, radiation and medical oncologists. Scans will be performed to assess the extent of the tumour and potential spread to other organs. A CT scan is often sufficient but more detailed scans such as MRI or PET/CT scans may be required. Based on your investigations your team will recommend a plan of treatment designed to optimise long-term cure. Most patients will initially require surgery to remove their tumour and subsequent chemotherapy may be required. With tumours of the rectum, or lowermost bowel, treatment is more complex and many patients will have radio- therapy and chemotherapy to shrink the tumour initially and then have surgery to remove it. Surgery for cancer of the colon or rectum can now be performed in up to 90 per cent of patients using laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. This technique allows removal of the colon without opening the abdomen and results in a much faster and easier recovery with a shorter hospital stay, reduced risk of complications and speedier chemotherapy if required. Advances in diagnosis and treatment are gradually improving outcome and more than 50 per cent of patients are fully cured, the chances of cure being much better the earlier the cancer is detected. After treatment your surgeon will recommend a routine schedule of long-term follow-up including regular examination, scans and colonoscopies. MORE ABOUT THE HEALTH OF YOUR COLON: • What is a colonic polyps? • What to expect from a colonoscopy • What is the function of your colon? • Lifestyle risks for developing colon cancer * Source: Irish Times