What are colon polyps?
Colon polyps are growths (lumps) of the lining (i.e. the inner surface of the colon). Some types of polyps (adenomas) are pre-cancerous lesions i.e. if not removed they can develop into colon cancer. The vast majority of people who have polyps are completely asymptomatic. This means that the absence of symptoms does not guarantee the absence of bowel polyps.
What are the predisposing factors for polyps?
There are some factors that are considered favourable for the development of polyps and others that are protective against them. The following are considered to be predisposing factors:
- Age: polyps are more common in older people.
- Heredity: polyps are most often seen in relatives of those diagnosed with polyps or colorectal cancer.
- Diet: a diet high in fat and red meat predisposes to polyps.
- Alcohol, smoking: people who drink alcohol and smoke are more prone to developing polyps
- Obesity: overweight and obese people are more likely to have polyps.
Protective factors against polyps are:
- A diet rich in fibre-rich foods (fruits, vegetables, legumes)
- Increased intake of foods rich in calcium (dairy products), vitamin C (fruits), folic acid (green vegetables) and selenium (nuts, seafood).
- Use of small amounts of aspirin.
How are polyps diagnosed and what is the importance of finding them?
The best test for finding polyps is a total colonoscopy. If a patient is diagnosed with colorectal polyp(s), it should be removed by an endoscopic method. This should be done at the same or a future colonoscopy.
Polypectomy
Endoscopic polypectomy is an invasive method that consists of finding, capturing, excising and removing the polyp through the endoscope.Polyps can be removed either with biopsy forceps or polypectomy loop and by applying a current or cauterizing the lesion.
Depending on their histological characteristics and the size of the polyp, it will be determined when to repeat colonoscopy to prevent recurrence of polyps and colorectal cancer
