Polyps, Colon

Colon polyps are growths in the lining of the colon and rectum. You may have more than one polyp in the colon. Polyps are mushroom-shaped projections at the end of a stem. Others appear as bumps lying flat against the intestinal wall

Symptoms

• Have bleeding from the rectum. You might notice blood in your underwear or on toilet paper if you had a bowel movement.
• Have blood in the stool. The blood can make the stool look black, or the blood can look like red streaks on it.
• You feel tired because of anemia and iron deficiency in the body. Bleeding from colon polyps can cause anemia and iron deficiency.

Diagnostic

Following are the tests to check if you have colon polyps:

• Rectal Touch- The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to check outgrowths or unusual formations. However, this process can detect polyps in the rectum, the few inches lower of the intestine.
• Fecal occult blood test – A stool sample is analyzed for tiny traces of blood, an indication of polyps.
• Sigmoidoscopy- A thin light tube with a video camera is inserted into the colon through the anus allowing the doctor to examine the area of polyps.
• Colonoscopy – Advanced version of sigmoidoscopy allows seeing the entire length of the colon.

Colon Polyp Treatment

Your doctor will likely remove all polyps found during bowel examinations. Removal methods include:

Snare- Most polyps can be removed during colonoscopy by snaring them with a loop of wire that it cauterizes at the same time to prevent bleeding.

Surgery- more polyps or those that cannot be reached are removed surgically safely, using laparoscopic techniques (which involves several small incisions in the abdominal wall, and the instruments attached to the cameras that display the two points on a monitor.)

Colon and rectal removal- In rare cases, inherited syndromes such as FAP, the surgeon removes the entire colon, replacing it with a pouch allowing the regular expulsion of waste.