Cancerous Polyps

Yesterday was my first colonoscopy. Just prior examination, no symptoms. Two polyps were removed for biopsy. I can call in a week, but right now I feel very nervous. Does anyone know what percentage of these be cancerous / precancerous?

Most polyps are not cancerous (malignant), but like most cancers, they result from abnormal cell growth. Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly manner - a process that is controlled by two major groups of genes: proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Mutations in one of these genes can cause cells to continue dividing even when new cells are not necessary. In colon and rectum, this unregulated growth can cause polyps to form, over a long period of time, some of these polyps may become malignant.

Polyps can develop anywhere in your large intestine. They may be small or large and flat (sessile) or mushroom shaped and attached to a stem (pedunculated). small polyps and mushroom are much less likely to become malignant than flat or large. In general, the more a polyp, the greater the risk of cancer.

There are three main types of colon polyps:

- Adenomatous. Once these polyps grow beyond the size of a pencil eraser - about 5 millimeters (mm) or 1 / 4 inch - there's a small chance, but the more they will become cancerous. This is particularly true when their diameter exceeds 10 mm. For this reason, doctors normally take a tissue sample (biopsy) from polyps during a sigmoidoscopy and either biopsy or remove polyps during a colonoscopy large. Adenomas are divided into three subtypes - villous, tubular and tubulovillous. villous tend to be larger than other types and are most likely to become malignant.
-Hyperplastic. These polyps occur most often in your left (descending) colon and rectum. Usually less than 5 mm, they are rarely malignant.
-Inflammatory. These polyps may follow a game of ulcerative colitis. Although the polyps themselves are not a significant threat, having ulcerative colitis increases your overall risk of colon cancer.


A number of factors may contribute to the formation of colorectal polyps. They include: more than 50 years, gender (more men than women develop colon polyps), inflammatory diseases intestincal, lifestyle (obesity, diet, smoking habits. Etc..) And history family. Another risk factor for colon polyps is genetic mutations. A small percentage of colorectal cancers arise from mutations of genes identified. These cancers are autosomal dominant, which means that you need to inherit one defective gene from one of your parents. If one parent carries the mutated gene, you have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the mutation. Although inheriting a defective gene greatly increases your risk, not everyone with a mutated gene develops cancer.

Almost all colon cancers develop from polyps, but polyps grow slowly, usually over a period of several years. Screening tests play a key role in detecting polyps before they become cancerous. These tests can also help in finding colorectal cancer early, when you have a good chance of recovery. When cancers are found early and removed during routine screening, the survival rate at five years may be as high as 90 percent. The vast majority of polyps can be removed during a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy by snaring them with a wire loop that cuts along the stem of the polyp and cauterize it to prevent bleeding. Some small polyps may be cauterized or burned with electrical current. Risks of polyp removal (polypectomy) include bleeding and perforation of the colon.

In general, polyps are removed so they do not turn into cancer at a later date. There is virtually no chance they are not cancerous. Relax!

Good for you to have the colonoscopy. Less than 1% of polyps become malignant.

More information about it.