colon cancer – are you a doctor or current or former colon cancer patient?
http://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/guide/treatment-stage
does the above article mean that no doctor will remove a colon tumor (only polyps) during a colonscopy?
here is the correct link…………..
http://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/guide/treatment-stage
I guess this answers my question unless others interpret it a different way.
Stage 0
Stage 0 colon cancer is found only in the innermost lining of the colon. Treatment usually involves one of the following:
Polypectomy or local excision to remove the tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue, or
during my 1st test in 1995, pre-cancerous polyps were removed according to the doctor and I’ve been told that not all polyps are pre-cancerous. Not sure if they took a sample, ran it to the lab very quickly and then came back and removed them as being pre-cancerous. Now sure how they knew they were pre-cancerous. The doctor did not tell me about this for 5 years and I feel my patient rights to know were violated. I’m trying to figure out how to be told what is being removed this time so I can make the decision as to remove or not to remove.
My current question is:
If my doctor finds more than polyps, even a stage 00 tumor, can and will he remove it during the colonoscopy or does it require a second procedure?
Tagged with: cancer guide • colon cancer • Colonoscopy • colonscopy • colorectal • excision • lining of the colon • patient rights • polypectomy • pre cancerous polyps
Filed under: Colorectal Cancer
Denisedds (88)
Some small superficial tumors can be removed on colonoscopy, but generally only polyps can be removed and many of them often have cancer in them. Unless the tumor can be removed whole it is difficult to assess margins, which is vital information to prognosis, treatment and the patient’s life. Also the doctor can only go so deep with out risking perforating the colon wall, which is very dangerous. These are the primary reasons surgery to remove a section of the colon is necessary.
Yes. I am a colon cancer survivor, had sugery for stage II last September, 2008. Once a tumor has developed the tissues surrounding it are very involved and so it cannot be removed as a polyp can.
I’m not entirely sure what you’re asking.
I had stage III colon cancer last year, so I looked into it quite a bit. Unless it is too big, all polyps are removed during a colonoscopy. Whether it is cancerous, pre-cancerous or just normal. That is because over time, and that can mean several years, it can develop into cancer.
It is very unlikely that they discovered at that very moment it is pre-cancerous. Whenever a polyp is removed, it is then tested to see what it is. If it is too big to be removed during the colonoscopy, samples are taken and tested.
But to sum it up, all polyps are removed and then tested. There shouldn’t be a debate as to whether it should be removed or not.
EDIT: If it is stage 0 and small enough to be removed during a colonoscopy, it will be removed and that is usually the only course of treatment. If it is larger but still stage 0, then surgery will be needed, and again, that will be the only treatment.