How long polyp turn into cancer

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If you are a new patient, save time by printing your paperwork and bring it to your appointment. New Patient Forms Health Questionnaire. But that's not always the case. Regular colonoscopies can help your doctor find and remove polyps when they are small, before they cause any problems. Colon polyps are clumps of cells that form in the lining of the colon. They grow slowly over time and typically do not cause symptoms, particularly when they are small. In time, however, some large polyps may cause bleeding into the colon.

In addition, depending on where it is located, a large polyp can also block the colon, leading to problems such as abdominal pain, severe constipation, nausea and vomiting. Polyps are most common in people older than 50, and may be more common in smokers, people who are overweight and those who eat a low-fiber, high-fat diet. People with a family history of colon polyps are also more likely to get polyps than those who do not have the same history.

Small colon polyps are harmless. But over time, some do grow and become cancerous. There is no way to tell the difference between polyps that will turn into colon cancer and polyps that won't by simply looking at them. They're often picked up during screening for bowel cancer. Polyps do not usually turn into cancer.

But if some types of polyps called adenomas are not removed, there's a chance they may eventually become cancerous. Because of the risk of bowel polyps developing into cancer, your doctor will always recommend getting polyps treated. There are several methods for treating polyps. The most common procedure involves physically removing the polyp using a wire loop.

This happens during a procedure called a colonoscopy. During a colonoscopy a flexible tube called a colonoscope is passed through your bottom and up into your bowel. The colonoscope has a wire attached to it through which an electric current is passed. The wire is used to either burn off cauterise or cut off snare the polyp. Both methods are painless. After the polyp or polyps have been removed, they're sent to specialists in a laboratory, who'll inform your consultant if:.

If there's a cancerous change in the polyp, you may need further treatment depending on the degree and extent of change.