Colon Polyps

Colon polyps are small clump of cells that forms on the colon lining. Their size vary from size of a pea to  size of golf ball.

Most of the  colon cancers develop from polyps.  The polyps grow slowly over long period of time. Polyps can be prevented by good intake of Calcium, fruits, vegetables and whole grains and limiting fat and alcohol intake and stopping smoking.

The  foold travels along 30 feet digestive tract stretches from mouth to  anus.
As the food travels through the digestive tract the nutrients are broken down and absorbed by the body to build cells and produce energy.

Large intestine is the at the last part the digestive tract. The upper 4 to 6 feet of the large intestine is called colon.
The lower 8-10 inches of the large intestine is called rectum

Main functions of colon:

 Absorbs water, salt and  minerals from colon contents.

Main functions of rectum:

 Stores wastes until it can be eliminated  from the body. 

Fig - Colon Polyps 

Unregulated growth in the colon and rectum can cause polyps formation over a long period of time.

Colon polyps can cause signs and symptoms:

•   Rectal bleeding

•  Change in bowel habits

•  Abdominal pain

If colon polyps are diagonsed at their early stages, they can be removed completely in a safe manner. 

Colon Polyps Symptoms

• Rectal bleeding

• Blood in  stool

• Constipation or diarrhea

• Crampy abdominal pain

• Nausea and vomiting

Types of Colon Polyps

• Adenomatous - More than 5 mm in size

• Hyperplastic -  Less than 5 mm in size, usually in  left (descending) colon and rectum

• Inflammatory

American Cancer Society Recommendations

Colon screenings beginning at age 50

Frequent or earlier screening if the patient has the other risk factors, such as a family history for this  

Diagnosis for Colon Polyps

• Digital rectal exam

• Blood test

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy

• Barium enema

• Colonoscopy

• Genetic testing

• Pill camera

• Virtual colonoscopy

Pill camera

The vitamin-pill size video capsule comes with its own camera lens and light source. it is used a an endoscope to capture images of the entire small intestine. After the patient has ingested the video capsule, it will obtain images as it travels through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Images are sent to a data recorder that the patient wears on a waist-belt. After 8 hours, the image will be downloaded and viewed
on a video monitor by the doctor to detect small intestinal lesions. Capsule Endoscopy is a recent medical breakthrough that enables accurate diagnosis of small intestinal diseases in a non-invasive way. The availability of this cutting edge technology has improved the diagnosis and management of the patients with small intestinal diseases.

Executive Health Checkup offered by our hospitals

 More information about Executive Health Check up is available here
 

Polypectomy (removal of Polyps) 

Majority of the polyps can be removed  by colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.
During colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy the polyps are removed by snaring them with a wire loop that simultaneously cuts the stalk of the polyp and cauterizes it to prevent bleeding. Very small polyps can be burnt by electrical current.

Large polyps which can't handled by  these methods can be surgically removed by laparoscopic methods.