In this Article

• What is melanosis coli?
• What are the symptoms of melanosis coli?
• What causes melanosis coli?
• How is melanosis coli diagnosed?
• What is the prognosis (outcome) of melanosis coli?
• Melanosis Coli Glossary
• Melanosis Coli Index

How is melanosis coli diagnosed?

Melanosis coli can be observed during endoscopic procedures that examine the large intestine, such as colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy . Sometimes the diagnosis is made upon microscopic examination of biopsies taken during endoscopic procedures.

What is the prognosis (outcome) of melanosis coli?

If a person stops using anthranoid laxatives, the changes associated with melanosis coli lessen over time and may disappear.

Early studies suggested that anthranoid laxatives might have carcinogenic or tumor-promoting activities in humans and that the presence of melanosis coli might signal an increased risk for the development of colorectal cancer. However, more recent follow-up studies have failed to show an association between colon cancer and anthranoid laxative use or between colon cancer and the finding of melanosis coli.

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• senna-rectal, Senokot - Consumer information about the medication SENNA - RECTAL (Senokot), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug SENNA - RECTAL.
• Colonoscopy - Learn about the colonscopy procedure, what it is, why it is performed, preparation, complications, alternatives and the after effects of the screening exam on MedicineNet.com
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