COLON POLYPS

OVERVIEW

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• Growths on the inner lining of the colon
• Adenomatous colon polyps can turn into cancer
• Hyperplastic colon polyps rarely turn into cancer

BODY SYSTEM AFFECTED

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• Colon polyps affect the colon
• Colon polyps can develop into colon cancer
• Third leading cause of cancer deaths in America

SYMPTOMS

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• Rectal Bleeding
• Change In Stool Color
• Change In Bowel Habits
• Abdominal Pain
• Iron Deficiency Anemia
• (Most often) Many times symptoms do not occur

CAUSES

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• Genetics (direct family member)
• Dietary factors (not eating healthy)
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking
• Personal history
• Age (getting older)

DIAGNOSIS

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• Colonoscopy - gastroenterologist advances a flexible tube with a camera through the patients rectum into the terminal ileum.
• The gastroenterologist will see if there are any colon polyps
• If colon polyps are present, the doctors will remove them
• Polyp tissue is sent to a pathologist
• The pathologist determines the type of colon polyp and if the polyp contains cancer

OTHER WAYS TO DIAGNOSE COLON POLYPS

• CT Colonography - a virtual colonoscopy where a person takes a CT scan to determine if they have colon polyps
• Stool Test - looks for DNA or blood in the stool that suggests a likelihood of colon polyps or colon cancer

TREATMENT

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• Colon polyps are removed with a snare
• A lasso cuts off blood flow into the polyp
• The colon polyp is cauterized
• The colon polyp is suctioned through the tube or grasped
• If the colon polyp leaves a large opening it will be clipped

PROGNOSIS

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• Depends on the type of colon polyp and how far the extends
• Colon polyp without cancer is removed
• Colon polyp with cancer requires surgery
• Colon polyp with cancer that extends beyond the colon may require chemos therapy
• People with hyperplastic colon polyps are recommended to have a colonoscopy after ten years
• People with adenomatous colon polyps are recommended to have a colonoscopy in five years or less

DISEASE PREVENTION

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• Healthy diet
• Active lifestyle
• Important - If a person has a personal history with colon polyps or past family has had colon cancer, it is important to have a colonoscopy as recommended by the gastroenterologist.

THANK YOU