In this Article

• What is a colon polyp?
• What types of polyps become cancerous?
• Are there other factors that determine a polyp's chance of becoming cancerous?
• What other types of polyps are there in addition to adenomas?
• What are the guidelines for screening individuals for polyps in order to prevent colon cancer?
• What kind of additional surveillance should be done once a polyp has been found?
• What happens if a polyp that is removed contains cancer?
• Is one's risk of having colon cancer increased by having had an adenoma?
• What is one's risk of having a polyp or cancer if a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) has had an adenomatous polyp?
• Are there ways to prevent colon polyps from developing?
• What does the future hold for screening and surveillance of colon polyps?
• Are there situations in which polyps carry a very high risk of becoming cancerous?
• What about genetic counseling and testing?
• Colon Polyps At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Colon Polyps - Describe Your Experience
• Colon Polyps Glossary
• Colon Polyps Index
• Find a local Gastroenterologist in your town

What about genetic counseling and testing?

Patients who have hereditary colon cancer syndromes usually have no symptoms and are unaware that they have colon polyps or early colon cancers. They usually will develop colon cancers early in life (often before ages 40-50). Therefore, to prevent colon cancers in patients with hereditary colon cancer syndromes, colon screening must begin early. For example, patients with FAP should have annual flexible sigmoidoscopies starting at age 12, patients with AFAP should have annual colonoscopies starting at age 25, and patients with HNPCC should have colonoscopies beginning at age 25 (or 10 years younger than the earliest colon cancer diagnosed in the family, whichever is earlier). The current screening recommendations for the general population (fecal occult blood testing, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy beginning at ages 40-50) are inadequate for most patients with hereditary colon cancer syndromes.

Genetic counseling and testing are important to identify patients and family members with hereditary colon cancer syndromes so that screening with flexible sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies can begin early and, if necessary, the colon can be removed surgically to prevent colon cancer. Moreover, depending on which hereditary colon cancer syndrome is present, early screening for other types of cancer such as ovarian, uterine, stomach, ureter, and thyroid may be appropriate. For more, please read the Colon Cancer, The Genetic Factor article.

Colon Polyps At A Glance

• Colon polyps are growths on the inside of the colon.
• Colon polyps that often become cancerous are called adenomas or adenomatous colon polyps.
• The risk of an adenomatous colon polyp becoming cancerous increases as the size of the polyp increases.
• All individuals should have screening flexible sigmoidoscopy beginning at age 50 to detect colon polyps.
• If colon polyps are found during flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy should be done to detect colon polyps elsewhere in the colon.
• Increasingly, doctors in the US are recommending screening colonoscopy rather than flexible sigmoidoscopy for all individuals starting at age 50
• Individuals who have had adenomatous polyps need regular screening with colonoscopy to detect and remove new polyps.
• Genetic testing and counseling is now available to identify individuals with inherited colon cancer syndromes so that screening flexible sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies can begin early to detect polyps and prevent the development of early colon cancers.

Colon Polyps - Describe Your Experience

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Did you have any of the risk factors for colon polyps at the time of your diagnosis? If so, what were they?

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