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History Of Removal Of Cancerous Polyps In Colon. Suggested Removal Of Colon Due To Polyp Being Flat. Explain
My husband had a colonoscopy and polyps were removed - they biopsied to be cancerous. The lab report stated that the cancer part was removed. The Dr doing the biopsy wanted another Dr opinion - this other Dr said half of the colon had to be removed - because of the polyp being flat (?) Could you explain this a little more for us?
Wed, 31 Jul 2013
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Polyps are local growths in the intestine. more common in the large intestine.
They can be cancerous.
There are some gross features which are commonly seen in cancerous polyps like flat polyp. a flat polyp is associated with cancer more often than a stalked polyp.
Multiple polyps are associated with cancer more often than single polyp.
All the polyps which are removed are examined histopathologically.
If they turn out to be cancerous, their removal is essential.
In case there are multiple polyps in the colon, and only few are removed.
If any one of them turn out to be malignant, there is every possibility of others being cancerous.
At some places the cancerous lesion can even involve the underlying intestine.
So, it is advisable to get the entire affected intestine / colon to be removed surgically.
Surgical removal will completely remove the potential cancer site in the body.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
Polyps are local growths in the intestine. more common in the large intestine.
They can be cancerous.
There are some gross features which are commonly seen in cancerous polyps like flat polyp. a flat polyp is associated with cancer more often than a stalked polyp.
Multiple polyps are associated with cancer more often than single polyp.
All the polyps which are removed are examined histopathologically.
If they turn out to be cancerous, their removal is essential.
In case there are multiple polyps in the colon, and only few are removed.
If any one of them turn out to be malignant, there is every possibility of others being cancerous.
At some places the cancerous lesion can even involve the underlying intestine.
So, it is advisable to get the entire affected intestine / colon to be removed surgically.
Surgical removal will completely remove the potential cancer site in the body.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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Dear Ma'am,
Sorry to hear about your husband's problem. Colonic polyps are of various types. Flat ones have a higher chance of invading the deeper structures and spreading fast, that is why it is is advisable that if a flat polyp turns malignant, the colon should be removed. Another reason for the surgery is that usually there are more than one polyps present in the colon and it is best that all of them are removed.
You should consult your surgeon and discuss the surgery. Hoping for the best.
Sorry to hear about your husband's problem. Colonic polyps are of various types. Flat ones have a higher chance of invading the deeper structures and spreading fast, that is why it is is advisable that if a flat polyp turns malignant, the colon should be removed. Another reason for the surgery is that usually there are more than one polyps present in the colon and it is best that all of them are removed.
You should consult your surgeon and discuss the surgery. Hoping for the best.
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