Should i have my polyps removed

Hyperplastic polyps: These polyps are not precancerous. Doctors generally remove them anyway, just to be safe. Adenomas: Two-thirds of colon polyps are the precancerous type, called adenomas. It can take seven to 10 or more years for an adenoma to evolve into cancer—if it ever does. Doctors remove all the adenomas they find. Sessile serrated polyps: Once thought harmless, this type of adenoma is now known to be risky. These are also removed.

After polyps are removed, you will need to return for an additional colonoscopy. How soon you need to return for follow-up depends largely on the size of the polyps found in the first exam. Whenever you have a colonoscopy , you should have the highest quality exam possible so the doctor can find all the polyps. During the colon-cleansing " prep " before the colonoscopy, follow the instructions to the letter.

Eating a low-fiber diet for four to five days may improve the quality of the prep, Dr. Saltzman says. That's because fiber gets stuck in the nooks and crannies of the colon wall, and can block the doctor's view. For colonoscopy to prevent cancer, the doctor must find and remove as many precancerous growths as possible.

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Polyps are benign growths noncancerous tumors or neoplasms involving the lining of the bowel. They can occur in several locations in the gastrointestinal tract but are most common in the colon. They vary in size from less than a quarter of an inch to several inches in diameter.

They look like bumps growing from the inside lining of the bowel protruding out. Some polyps can be flat. People can have several polyps scattered in different parts of the colon.

Some polyps can contain cancer, although the vast majority of polyps do not. Larger polyps are more likely to become cancerous than smaller ones. Smoking, obesity, diabetes, and inadequate exercise are risk factors for polyps, but many people with none of these risk factors have precancerous polyps in the colon.

There are genetic risk factors for developing polyps as well. The biggest risk factor for developing polyps is being older than A family history of colon polyps or colon cancer increases the risk of polyps. Also, people with a personal history of polyps or colon cancer are at higher risk of developing new polyps in the future than a person who has never had a polyp.

This makes the patient feel drowsy and relaxed. Most polyps can be removed with a scope. This is a tube the doctor inserts into the body that eliminates the need for a large incision. For a uterine polypectomy, a doctor inserts the scope through the vagina, into the cervix, and into the uterus. A camera helps guide the scope to the polyp. During a colon polypectomy , the doctor inserts the tube through the rectum.

As with a uterine polypectomy, a camera helps the doctor locate the polyp. Doctors use different surgical techniques for removing polyps.

Some options include :. During the procedure, a patient may feel pressure or pulling, but should feel no pain.

Depending on the location of the polyp and other factors, a doctor may give the patient pain medication before, during, or after the procedure. When polyps are very large, it may be necessary to remove them through an incision. This procedure is more complicated, and requires general anesthesia. Recovery from a polypectomy usually takes about 2 weeks. Patients may feel pain following the procedure, particularly immediately after the procedure.

After the polyp is removed, it will be sent to a lab for testing. When they cause symptoms, a doctor may recommend screening tests. In some cases, polyps are discovered as part of screening for something else. This means that people are more likely to undergo a polypectomy when they also undergo a screening test that can detect polyps. People who have symptoms related to their polyps, such as pain or bleeding, usually need to have the polyps removed. A polypectomy is a routine procedure that can eliminate symptoms of polyps and test for cancer.

As with any procedure, patients should weigh the benefits and risks with the help of their doctor. For most polypectomy recipients, however, the procedure is a minor inconvenience that can offer peace of mind and relief from troublesome symptoms. Learn about keyhole surgery, including the benefits, risks, and complications, as well as what to expect during surgery and how to prepare.