Swelling of the mucosa
Polyps are swellings of the mucous membrane. They range in size from a pin knot to a golf ball of several centimeters. What can be done about it?
1. Are colon polyps common?
“Pops, a painless proliferation of the intestinal mucosa, vary in size and shape: from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. About 9 percent of the over-50s have a large polyp, according to Dutch research. There are patients with only one polyp, others have several.”
2. How do they arise?
“We don’t know that. Nor why some people get them and others don’t. It is clear that a certain lifestyle increases the risk of colon polyps. The main risk factors are smoking, too little exercise and being overweight.”
3. Can they hurt?
“The vast majority of polyps are benign and remain so. But about 5 percent can eventually develop into colorectal cancer. Unfortunately, we can’t see from the outside whether a polyp will become malignant. That’s why we remove them all just to be sure .”
4. What do you notice about intestinal polyps?
“Usually nothing. If someone does get complaints, it concerns, for example, blood or mucus in the stool, changes in the stool pattern, irregular bowel movements, abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss. Please note, all these problems can also be caused by other, often harmless conditions. .”
5. When should you take it to the doctor?
“If you notice blood in your stool, it is wise to make an appointment immediately. For the other complaints, you would do well to go to the doctor if they persist for more than two weeks.”
6. How does the removal work?
“If during a visual examination it appears that there are polyps in the colon, they are immediately removed. This is painless. The doctor then sends the tissue to a laboratory to determine what type of polyp it is and whether further treatment is needed. .”
7. If they are taken away, do they stay away?
“That is certainly the intention. And if it has been done carefully, it is. Sometimes, however, removal can be difficult, for example with a very flat polyp. If a piece is unintentionally left behind, then a new polyp can be added later. grow out.”
8. Since 2014 there has been a national population screening for bowel cancer. Why was this decided?
Colon cancer always starts with a polyp. By removing polyps preventively, it is possible to detect the cancer early – in a well-treated stage – or even prevent it completely. But because they often do not cause any symptoms, you can have polyps For example, it is possible that many people still die of colorectal cancer every year. That is why all Dutch people between the ages of 55 and 75 receive a call every two years to hand in stools. If traces of blood are found, we conduct follow-up research to the cause.”
This article was produced in collaboration with internist Prof. Dr. James Hardwick, professor of Gastrointestinal Liver Diseases, specialized in the early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer.
Sources):
- Plus Magazine
