Intestinal polyps are not a major disease, but they should not be ignored. We can neither ignore nor need to be overly alarmed by polyps in colonoscopy reports. For recurrent polyp growths, we must pay attention to the possibility of genetic disease and also to the presence of other diseases. For patients who are found to have intestinal polyps but do not need special treatment for the time being, they should pay attention to their daily diet and have regular colonoscopy.
Why do intestinal polyps grow?
1.Infection: inflammatory polyps are related to chronic inflammation of the intestine.
2, age: the incidence of colorectal polyps increases with age
3, embryonic abnormalities: juvenile polyposis is mostly misshapen tumors, which may be related to abnormal embryonic development.
4, lifestyle habits: low-fiber diet is associated with colorectal polyps; smoking is closely related to adenomatous polyps
5, genetic: the occurrence of certain polyposis is related to genetics, such as familial non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), etc.
Polyp under colonoscopy
Who is at high risk for intestinal polyps?
Those who have colon cancer or colon polyps in their family members; those who eat high fat, high animal protein, low fiber and fried food for a long time; and those who are older than 50 years old. In addition, the longer you sit, the higher the risk of developing intestinal polyps.
It is recommended that these types of people have an annual examination such as electronic colonoscopy, anal finger examination and fecal occult blood to detect colon adenomas with cancer tendency in time. In Europe and the United States, where colorectal cancer is highly prevalent, from the age of 50, it is recommended for all people to have an annual occult blood test on naturally excreted stool and a complete colonoscopy every 5 to 10 years for early detection.
Removal of polyps by colonoscopy
Can polyps become cancerous?
First of all, we must be clear about the premise that not all polyps can become cancerous. Generally speaking, we will classify intestinal polyps into non-neoplastic polyps and adenomatous polyps (also called neoplastic polyps). Non-neoplastic polyps are generally not cancerous and common types of.
1, juvenile polyps: common in young children, mostly under 10 years old. They often occur in the rectum, are round in shape, mostly solitary, and are pathologically characterized by a misshapen cystic cavity of varying size.
2, inflammatory polyps: also known as pseudopolyps. Is the ulcer of the large intestinal mucosa in the healing process of fibrous tissue hyperplasia and inter-ulcerative submucosal edema, so that the normal mucosal surface gradually elevated and formed. It is commonly found in chronic ulcerative colitis, amebic dysentery, schistosomiasis, intestinal tuberculosis and other intestinal diseases.
Adenomatous polyps are recognized as precancerous lesions. Adenomatous polyps can be divided into three types, namely tubular adenoma, villous adenoma and tubular choroidal adenoma, with tubular adenoma being the most common.
Removal of polyps
How long does it take for a polyp to develop into cancer?
In terms of age of onset, adenomatous polyps are 5 to 10 years earlier than colorectal cancer. Adenomatous polyp carcinogenesis is related to its size, morphology and pathological type. The cancer rate of broad-based adenomas is higher than that of tipped adenomas; the larger the adenoma, the greater the likelihood of cancer; the more villous components in the adenoma structure, the greater the likelihood of cancer. There are also some special types of adenomatous polyps: flat polyps and lateral developmental polyps. They can become malignant to colorectal cancer at an early stage.
Treatment options for polyps
In clinical work, the treatment plan is generally decided according to the size, number, presence of complications and pathological nature of intestinal polyps.
1, small polyps are usually removed during colonoscopy and sent for pathological examination.
2.Adenomas >3cm in diameter, especially villous adenomas, should be removed surgically: below the peritoneal fold through the anus, above the peritoneal fold should be removed openly or under laparoscopy.
If the adenoma penetrates the mucosal muscle layer or infiltrates the submucosa, it is an invasive cancer and should be treated according to the principles of colorectal cancer treatment. If adenoma malignant does not penetrate the mucosal muscle layer, does not invade small blood vessels and lymph, has a good degree of differentiation, and has no residue on the cut edge, it is not necessary to perform surgery after removal, but should be closely observed.
4, inflammatory polyps to treat the primary intestinal disease, inflammatory stimulation disappears, polyps can disappear on their own; proliferative polyps symptoms are not obvious, no special treatment.