Colon Polyps
Colorectal polyps are detected during colonoscopy and are observed in approximately 20% of the adult population. They are abnormal growths that develop on the inner surface of the colon and rectum. Some may have a flat surface, while others are pedunculated (attached by a stalk).
Symptoms
Colon polyps usually do not cause any symptoms until they reach a large size. Therefore, colonoscopy performed for screening purposes is very important for detecting and removing these polyps.
Rare symptoms caused by polyps include:
Blood in the stool
Excessive mucus (inflammatory stool)
Increased or decreased bowel movement frequency
Abdominal pain
Diagnosis
The most common method used to detect colorectal polyps is colonoscopy. This outpatient procedure involves inserting a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and optical camera at the tip into the large intestine to examine it in detail. Polyps identified during the procedure are simultaneously removed and sent for pathological examination.
The large intestine can also be examined using computed tomography (CT) colonography (virtual colonoscopy). However, if a polyp or tumor mass is detected, a colonoscopy must still be performed to remove it or obtain a biopsy.
Other diagnostic methods include digital rectal examination, fecal occult blood test (to detect microscopic, invisible bleeding), barium enema, and sigmoidoscopy (evaluation of the last 40 cm of the large intestine).
Treatment
Colon and rectal polyps should be removed once they are detected, as there is no test that can determine which ones will turn into cancer or when. Nearly all polyps detected during colonoscopy can be removed during the same procedure.
Large polyps may require multiple procedures, and in some cases, complete removal may necessitate surgery.
Follow-Up After Treatment
After removal, polyps rarely recur; however, new polyps may develop in approximately 30% of patients. Therefore, based on the pathological results of the removed polyps, follow-up colonoscopy is usually planned every 3 to 5 years.
Although some studies suggest that aspirin use may reduce the development of new polyps, it is not a standard treatment. It can be considered depending on the patient’s condition and the characteristics of the polyps.