Everything You Need to Know About Colon and Rectal Polyps and Their Removal

Colon and rectal polyps are the abnormal growth of lumps that develops in the lining of the large intestine or the rectum. While most of these lumps are non cancerous and non fatal, some may turn into cancer over time if left untreated.

Hence it is crucial to detect the polyps and remove them as soon as possible. Check with a doctor and get the polyps removed by the best colon and rectal surgeon. 

Polyps can be detected through various screening tests that involve colonoscopy. This blog takes you through every detail of the procedure from the detection to removal.

Types of Colon and Rectal Polyps

There are two main types of colon and rectal Polyps.

• Adenomatous Polyps: These polyps are the most common type of polyps that people suffer from and have the potential to develop into cancer over time if left undiagnosed and untreated. They typically appear as raised, mushroom-like growths on the colon or rectal lining.
• Hyperplastic Polyps: These are other common types of polyps that are usually small, have flat growths and are typically not cancerous. They are more commonly found in the rectum than in the colon.

 

Symptoms of Colon and Rectal Polyps

Most of the people suffering from colon and rectal polyps have little to no major symptoms. You may not know you are suffering from the polyps until one day your stomach or abdomen starts to pain continuously and your doctor and colon and rectal surgeon finds it out.

However, some patients might have these symptoms:

• Change in bowel habits: Bowel habit changes involve constipation or diarrhoea that stays for more than a week may mean the presence of a larger colon polyp or cancer. 
• Bleeding and Change in stool colour: Blood may be found as red streaks in stools or make stool appear black.
• Iron deficiency anaemia: Bleeding from polyps can happen slowly without visible blood in stool. Chronic bleeding may lead to iron deficiency anaemia, which can make you feel tired or breathless.
• Pain: A large colon polyp blocks the part of your bowel, leading to cramps and abdominal pain.

 

Diagnosis of Colon and Rectal Polyps

Colon and rectal polyps are diagnosed through colonoscopy. It is a process in which a thin tube with a camera is inserted into the rectum to examine the internal linings.

Removal of Colon and Rectal Polyps

Colon and rectal polyps can be removed directly during the colonoscopy. The lumps are usually removed using a wire loop that cuts it off from the colon or rectal lining. Then the polyp is sent to the lab by the colon and rectal surgeon to detect if it's cancerous or not.

In case the size of the polyp is big or is cancerous in nature, surgery might be an option.

Conclusion

Colon and rectal polyps are common, but most are not cancerous or fatal. However, it is important to detect and remove polyps early to prevent the development of colon and rectal cancer by the best colon and rectal surgeon.