Colon polyps are the general term for all the polyps protruding into the intestinal lumen, including tumor and non-tumor polyps, tumor polyps usually do not disappear on their own, have the tendency to become malignant, and should not be ignored. The clinical so-called colorectal polyps do not indicate the pathological nature of polyps, usually the clinical polyps are mostly non-tumor polyps, and tumor polyps are collectively called adenomas.
Polyps vary in size and can be tipped or broad-based; they can be distributed in a section of the colon and rectum or involve the whole colon and rectum; they can be single or scattered, or many polyps can be gathered together. It can be as small as a sesame seed or a green bean with a diameter of only a few millimeters, or as large as a walnut with a diameter of 2~3 cm.
(A) What are the causes of colorectal polyps?
Mainly including familial factors, hereditary factors, inflammatory factors, environmental and dietary and other factors.
(B) How to classify the clinicopathological types of colorectal polyps?
1, adenomatous (neoplastic) polyps: including tubular, villous and tubular villous adenomas, such polyps have the highest probability of cancer, especially villous, known as precancerous lesions.
2, inflammatory polyps: including polyps caused by ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, schistosomiasis and other inflammatory bowel diseases.
3, misshapen tumors: juvenile polyps and pigmented polyp syndrome.
4.Proliferative polyps: also known as septic polyps.
5, juvenile polyps: mostly occurring in children under 10 years old, with round or ovoid appearance, smooth surface, mostly with a tip, and histologically well differentiated and irregularly sized glands. These polyps generally do not undergo malignant transformation.
(C) What are the clinical manifestations of colorectal polyps?
Clinical symptoms of colorectal polyps often vary, and can be manifested as blood in the stool, abdominal pain, prolapse of the mass outside the anus, change in bowel habits, anal discharge, anal itching, etc. Even if some patients have certain gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, etc., they are ignored because they are mild and atypical. When patients come to the clinic with blood, blood in the stool, or mucus and blood in the stool, they are often misdiagnosed as anal disorders such as hemorrhoids or “dysentery” and delay the necessary tests.
Anyone with unexplained blood in the stool or gastrointestinal symptoms should come to the hospital for colonoscopy in a timely manner. In particular, middle-aged and elderly people over 40 years old should pay attention to further examination to confirm the diagnosis.
(D) how to treat colorectal polyps once they are found?
The treatment principle of colorectal polyps is to surgically remove the polyps when they are found. Including local surgical removal and endoscopic removal method. At present, endoscopic treatment has made great progress, even some larger polyps can be removed under the endoscope, which provides convenience for polyp pathology biopsy. For the removal of polyps often advocate pathological examination, in order to clarify the degree of atypical hyperplasia, to avoid missing malignant changes.
(E) What is the prognosis of colorectal polyps?
Some colorectal polyps have a certain tendency to become cancerous under the long-term stimulation of certain factors, but not all colorectal polyps will become cancerous. The probability of malignant cancer in colorectal polyps is related to the shape and size of the polyps. It is necessary to be alert to it.
(F) How to prevent and control in daily life?
1, for people with a family history of colorectal polyps should have regular checkups to detect polyps early and deal with them in time.
2, to develop a good lifestyle, maintain good bowel habits.
3, light diet, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, increase the content of dietary fiber, reduce the intake of fried, smoked and pickled and other irritating foods.