Do all colon polyps turn into cancer,and if you have had some removed are they likley to return.?

6 Comments

1. Jamie says:

   August 2, 2009 at 6:42 am

   You have gotten good answers from the others, but I will add my two cents. Polyps are either hyperplastic or adenomatous. Hyperplastic polyps have little to no risk of turning into cancer, while adenomatous polyps do. It is difficult to know how frequently polyps become cancer, because when we discover them we remove them. But the general thought is about 5% of adenomatous polyps will become a cancer over a lifetime, and it takes about 7 years for an adenomatous polyp to transform to a cancer. Current guidelines recommend for a person with no risk factors (ie never had a polyp, no family history of colon cancer OR polyps, no change in bowel patterns, and no blood in the stool) get a colonoscopy every 10 years. This does mean a new polyp could form and become cancer during that ten years, but it is unlikely.

   If your polyps were small and removed completely, the chances of any of those polyps coming back or becoming a cancer is nil. However, if any of those were adenomatous, it tells you that your colon makes adenomatous polyps, and as such you are at increased risk for colon cancer (small, but still a risk factor). That means you need to get colonoscopies every 5 years, regardless of whether new polyps are found. If any polyps found at a colonoscopy are concerning or if there are multiple ones, then the next colonoscopy may need to be sooner than 5 years.

   Please don’t be hesitant about getting the colonoscopy- it is so important. The worst part is of course the bowel prep. But the colonoscopy itself should not be uncomfortable. If it was uncomfortable when you had it previously, request an endoscopist that uses propofol sedation, or "monitored anesthesia care". You should not feel anything.
2. Carol says:

   August 2, 2009 at 6:42 am

   Hi: Does any one in your family have cancer?
   if the answer is no than your risk is low. If the answer is yes
   than you should have a colon scope every 5 years to make
   sure it does not come back. As well as there are more than one
   type of polyps and with out knowing what type you had it is even
   hard to say if they will come back.
   I had polyps that were cancerous 2 times in a row. and last
   year there was no more colon cancer. So early detection is
   the key and colon cancer is nothing to mess with.

   So get it checked out every 5 years.
   I hope your cancer free for ever.
3. Sheena says:

   August 2, 2009 at 6:42 am

   This all depends on your sex, age, race and family history. I’m a 23 year old woman who had 3 small noncancerous polyps in her cervix. They removed them 3 years ago. They never grew back. And now I’m fine. All that I can do is suggest that you get checked every year. The sooner they find these polyps, the better your chances of beating cancer in the future are.
4. Mik says:

   August 2, 2009 at 6:42 am

   Actually colon cancer can sneak up on you because it is so hard to detect. Polyps can turn into cancer and your chances are increased if you have a family history of colon cancer. Regular check ups would be wise.
5. Denisedds says:

   August 2, 2009 at 6:42 am

   If the polyps you had were completely removed they will not likely come back. However, this does not mean you will not develop new ones. Not all polyps have the ability to become cancerous, but since there is no way to tell by simply looking at them every polyp found is removed.

   I’m not sure why your doctor would tell you colon cancer is rare because it is not. It is the 3rd most common cancer in the US and it is second most common cause of death due to cancer. Family history has little to do with this. It is not difficult to detect or treat when found early; This is why colonoscopies are recommended every 5 years starting at age 50. Colonoscopies are very accurate and they are the only screening exam that can cure you on the spot with no other treatment involved.

   No one likes having a colonoscopy, but you are due for one again. If no polyps are found this time your doctor may increase the time for your next one, but you should not skip it. If you should get colon cancer you will most likely have a colonoscopy anyway and worse. This is not a cancer you want to get, especially when you have the chance to prevent it from killing you.
6. Flapore says:

   August 2, 2009 at 6:42 am

   If they were only "hyperplastic polyps" your risk is not increased. If on the other hand the polyps were "adenomas" the risk is a bit higher. But then your doctor would (should) have informed you af that. Ask your doctor if the pathology report said they were hyperplastic polyps or adenomas. In case they were adenomas, the degree of dysplasia is also useful information.