Polyps are benign tumors that originate in the inner wall (mucosa) of various organs.

They look like small, wart-like bumps and can measure from a few millimeters to several centimeters.

A type of polyp called an adenomatous polyp grows in the colon; it is considered a premalignant lesion since it causes colorectal cancer in most cases.

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symptoms and origin

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Polyps generally do not give symptoms, exceptionally they can cause bleeding or abdominal pain. An exact cause of the origin of polyps has not been found. It is thought that diets high in fat and low in fiber can cause them.

Factors such as excessive alcohol intake, smoking and obesity have also been attributed. There is a genetic predisposition to developing polyps and colorectal cancer, so people with a family history of polyps or cancer are more likely to develop them.

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Diagnosis

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As polyps do not cause symptoms, they require special studies to detect them.

There are several tests to diagnose them:

 

1. Occult blood in fecal matter. It is an easy and inexpensive study to perform, although it has the drawback of being non-specific and unreliable.

2. The colon by barium enema. It is an annoying radiological study that detects only large polyps, so it is not currently used for this diagnosis.

3. Flexible rectosigmoidoscopy. It allows diagnosing polyps in the last portion of the colon, which is why it is currently considered an incomplete study.

4. The best study for the detection of polyps is Colonoscopy, since it allows us to review the entire colon, the detection and removal of all polyps found in the same procedure, including polyps of a few millimeters.

5. Virtual colonoscopy. It is a computerized study that allows to "visualize" the colon in its entirety. It requires the same preparation that is used for colonoscopy but has the limitation of not detecting polyps smaller than 10 mm. and not being able to remove those detected. In this case, it is necessary to repeat the preparation of the colon and perform a colonoscopy to extract them.

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main symptoms

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• Unfortunately colonic polyps and early cancers do NOT cause symptoms, they are usually discovered when a colonoscopy or X-ray of the colon (colon enema) is done for some other reason.

• Advanced colon cancers, most of which are not curable, are manifested by a change in the habit of evacuation of recent installation such as constipation or diarrhea, blood in the stool, anemia, abdominal distension, lack of appetite, weight loss, depression. , easy crying, palpable mass in the abdomen, etc.

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Screening Recommendations Through Colonoscopy

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The stage of life where colorectal cancer occurs most frequently is between the ages of 50 and 70, so it is recommended to perform the first colonoscopy at age 50. If no polyps are detected in this first study and there is no history of colon cancer in the family, the next colonoscopy should be performed 3 to 5 years later.

If there is a family history of colorectal cancer, the first colonoscopy should be performed 10 years before the age at which the cancer appeared, that is, if the family member who had the cancer was 45 years old, the colonoscopic examination of the members of that family It must start at age 35.

Endoscopic follow-up in those with a history of colorectal cancer and in those who had polyps removed varies between 1 and 5 years, depending on the number of polyps, their size, and cleanliness of the colon at the time of the study.

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Are all polyps removed by colonoscopy?

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Almost all adenomatous polyps can be removed by this method.

There are some polyps with malignant changes that surgical removal is preferable.

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