Anyone who has ever had a colonoscopy knows that you are enduring this humiliation so your doctor can find and remove any abnormal tissue in your colon called colon polyps. Of course there would be no point in undergoing this procedure if your physician did nothing about them. Polyps can not be removed if you don’t have a colonoscopy screening test as recommended. So let’s find out what happens if colon polyps are not removed.
Basic Facts About Polyps
Those with average risk for colon cancer should have a colonoscopy every 10 years starting at age 45. If you have an increased risk due to a family history or other risk factors, you should have one more frequently.
As for polyps, they are very common. These abnormal cells grow in the lining of your colon, but you typically have no symptoms. Some polyps can develop into cancer and others do not. Polyps and colon cancer run in families so having a colonoscopy makes sense even if there are no apparent symptoms.
The most common types of polyps are hyperplastic and adenomatous. The former has no potential to become cancerous, but adenomatous polyps can turn into cancer if not removed, and in adults, you have an increased chance of developing more polyps.
Colorectal Surgical Associates will typically remove all polyps during a colonoscopy. Samples are then sent to the lab for testing.
If Colon Polyps Are Not Removed
If most polyps are benign, or non-cancerous, why is it necessary to remove them all? You can still experience issues if polyps remain in place. If you are consistently having screening tests as recommended, they will be removed at least every 10 years or sooner.
They are still abnormal tissue and should be removed.
Polyps can grow quite quickly and obstruct your ability to pass feces and waste matter.
Some of those symptoms can be very worrisome like the following:
- Some polyps can cause bleeding from the rectum
- You may experience black and tarry stool
- You can be susceptible to constipation or diarrhea
- You can have pain
- You can become anemic
Leaving even benign polyps in place increases your risk of colon cancer later in life.
Keep in mind, colon cancer in its early stages is highly treatable.
Contact Colorectal Surgical Associates at (816) 941-0800 if you have not yet had your first colonoscopy or it’s time for your follow up.