Colon polyps: symptoms, causes and how to treat them

Definition

What are intestinal polyps?

Intestinal polyps (colon polyp) are small lumps that form in the lining of the large intestine. In most cases, this condition is not that dangerous. However, some clots can develop into colon cancer, which is often fatal if it is not found at a late stage.

These lumps in the large intestine vary in number and size. There are polyps that are shaped like mushrooms (round stalks), flat, or round without stalks.

Polyps in the large intestine also have several types, the following are.

Adenomatous polyp

Adenomatous polyps are the most common type of colonic polyp. It actually has a small potential to turn into cancer, but almost all malignant polyps start from adenomatous polyps. However, the development of these polyps into cancer usually takes years.

Hyperplastic polyps

Hyperplastic polyps are also among the types of polyps that are commonly found in patients. They are small in size and the risk of turning into cancer is very low.

Serrated polyp

If these polyps appear in the lower large intestine, they are probably a bunch of hyperplastic polyps that grow close together and are rarely malignant. However, if it is located at the top and is large and flat, the polyp can be precancerous.

Inflammatory polyps

Most often found in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Also called pseudopolyps because they are not really polyps, they are a reaction to chronic inflammation in the colon. These polyps are benign and generally do not have a risk of developing colon cancer.

To find out whether a polyp lump has the potential to become cancerous, the patient can undergo screening tests such as a colonoscopy.

How common is this disease?

Polyps in the intestine are very common. The risk of a person having a lump in the colon will continue to increase with age.

It is estimated that one-third or more of people aged 60 years or older have at least one polyp in their large intestine.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of intestinal polyps?

As many as 95% of people who are suspected of having polyps in the colon do not feel any symptoms or signs. Even if the screening results show a clot, the symptoms may not be felt. However, some patients may experience changes in their bodies.

According to the Mayo Clinic, here are the signs a patient can experience.

Bleeding in the rectum

The rectum is the end of the large intestine that holds stool before it is expelled through the anus. Bleeding in the rectum can be a sign colon polyp or cancer or other conditions such as hemorrhoids or small tears in the anus.

Change in stool color

Blood can appear as red streaks on the stool or make the stool appear black. However, changes in color can also be caused by food, drugs and supplements.

Changes in bowel habits

Constipation or diarrhea that lasts longer than one week may be a sign of a lump in the colon.

However, it can be quite difficult to tell whether these symptoms are caused by polyps or other conditions. This is because a change in bowel habits can also be a sign for many other digestive conditions.

Pain, nausea and vomiting

Polyps in the large intestine that can block part of the intestine, causing cramps or abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Anemia due to iron deficiency

Bleeding from polyps can occur gradually, without visible blood in the stool. Chronic bleeding reduces levels of metals that are essential for the body to produce iron.

This substance allows red blood cells to transport oxygen to the body (hemoglobin). The result is iron deficiency anemia, which can make you feel tired and short of breath.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

You should call your doctor if you start experiencing symptoms such as:

stomach pain,
blood in feces, and
a change in bowel habits that lasts longer than one week.

If you experience it, it's better not to delay to see a doctor immediately.

Keep in mind, everyone's body reacts differently, so the symptoms you feel can also differ from one another. Therefore, discuss it with your doctor to find out what solution is best for your situation.

Cause

What causes intestinal polyps?

The cause of polyps in the intestine is not known with certainty. However, researchers say that polyps in the intestines are the result of abnormal tissue growth.

Every day, the cells in the body are damaged, including the cells in the intestines. These cells will later be replaced by new healthy cells (cell mutations). The growth and division of new cells are usually under control.

However, in some cases, these cells form and divide before they are needed. This overgrowth causes polyps to form along the large intestine of various shapes and sizes.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for colon polyps?

Of course, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing colon polyps. Some of the groups at risk are:

people who are over 50 years of age,
are obese,
have family members who have had colon polyps or colon cancer,
have a disease that makes the colon inflamed, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis,
have uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, and
have a birth defect, such as Lynch syndrome or Gardner syndrome.

Living habits that are less healthy for the digestive system also contribute to increasing the risk of forming lumps in the large intestine. Some examples are if you frequently smoke, drink alcohol, or eat too many high-fat foods.

Drugs & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this disease diagnosed?

The doctor will perform a physical examination and ask about the symptoms you feel. as well as the patient's medical history. To make a diagnosis, the patient will also undergo several further tests as follows.

Stool test. In the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and fecal occult blood test (FOBT), a stool sample is checked for signs of cancer.
Colonoscopy. In this test, the doctor inserts a small viewing tube deep into the colon and looks for polyps. The doctor can also remove any lumps in the intestine that are found.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy. This test is like a colonoscopy, except that the viewing interval is shorter so that the doctor can only see the last part of the large intestine. The doctor can remove polyps during this test.

What are the treatments for intestinal polyps?

The doctor will likely remove any lumps found on examination of the colon. The following are various options for the removal method.

Appointment in screening

Most polyps can be removed with biopsy forceps or a coiled wire that snares the polyp. This can be helped by injecting fluid under the polyp to make it protrude from the wall for removal.

If the lump in the intestine is larger than 0.75 inches (about 2 centimeters), fluid can be injected under it to raise it and isolate the polyp from the surrounding tissue so that it can be removed (endoscopic mucosal resection).

Minimally invasive surgery

Polyps that are too large or cannot be safely reached by screening are usually removed using minimally invasive surgery.

Removal of the colon and rectum

If you have a rare inherited syndrome, such as FAP (familial adenomatous polyposis). You may need surgery to remove the colon and rectum (total proctocolectomy).

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat lumps in the colon?

Of course, you can make changes to your daily habits to help your condition recover. Here are the steps you can take.

Eat healthy gut foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Reduce your intake of foods high in fat, red meat, and processed foods.
Limit or avoid alcohol consumption.
Quit smoking.
Get physically active and maintain a healthy weight.
Family history. If you have a family history of lumps in your colon, consider getting genetic counseling and getting regular colonoscopy.

If you still have questions, consult your doctor to understand the best solution for you.