What is a polyp in the sigmoid colon?
What is a polyp in the colon? A polyp is a projection (growth) of tissue from the inner lining of the colon into the lumen (hollow center) of the colon. Different types of polyps look different under the microscope. Polyps are benign (non-cancerous) growths, but cancer can start in some types of polyps.
Are sigmoid polyps cancerous?
Hyperplastic polyps — Hyperplastic polyps are usually small, located in the end-portion of the colon (the rectum and sigmoid colon), have no potential to become malignant, and are not worrisome (figure 1).
What size of colon polyps is cancerous?
The size of the polyp correlates with the development of cancer. Polyps less than 1 centimeter in size have a slightly greater than a 1% chance of becoming cancer, but those 2 centimeters or greater have a 40% chance of transforming into cancer.
Does location of colon polyps matter?
One factor is the location of the polyp. Detecting right-sided polyps can be more challenging due to the shape of colonic folds and need for complete colonoscopy. Right-sided lesions can be indicative of increased risk of recurrence of advanced adenomas.
Does stress cause polyps?
This study suggests that patients who experienced total life events may be at higher risk of having colon polyps and adenomas which indicates an association between stress and the development of colorectal polyps.
How serious are colon polyps?
Since some types of colonic polyps can become cancerous, polyps should be taken seriously. Apart from cancer, large polyps can cause an obstruction within the colon and bleeding polyps can lead to anemia. While these conditions are not life-threatening like cancer, it can still have serious conseqeunces.
Is colon cancer always caused by polyps?
Though most colon cancers arise from what was once a benign (and removable) polyp, there are a number of circumstances in which the tumor starts growing without first transforming out of a polyp. Not All Cases of Colon Cancer Are Caused By Polyps.
What is the significance of having a colon polyp?
Colon polyps are important because they may give rise to colon cancer ( colorectal cancer ). The type of polyp predicts who is more likely to develop further polyps and colon cancer. Polyps cause other problems (to be discussed), but it is the deadly nature of colon cancer that is of most concern.
How common is it to have polyps in the colon?
Polyps are common and increasingly so as people age. Colorectal polyps, which are polyps in the colon or rectum, are estimated to occur in at least 30 percent of adults who are 50 years old or more in the United States.