surgical removal for polyps

mommyof2kds
mommyof2kds Member Posts: 519
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hope somebody can give me some insight as to why a polyp has to be surgically removed. I have read that most polyp that need surgical removal already have cancer in them. THis is not me but a family member.. Thanks Petrina

Comments

  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #2
    My Take on polyps
    are that some are destined to be no more than polyps and others for some reason turn rogue and presumedly turn into cancers. If they are already in there with the instruments of removal, why not go ahead and remove all of them in case they can't presume that they will be simply polyps or turn rogue...Its my thinking that pre cancerous polyps are ones that are inline to become cancerous polyps that they know to have found before and they just take them out while they are in there to prevent them from becoming cancer.....Buzz

    If they are going to be in there anyway for whatever reason, the polyps are to no avail to our intestinal tracts so why not go ahead and remove them...Its a good move anyway you look at it.... :) Buzz
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #3
    My surgeon commented that
    My surgeon commented that they are polyps until they invade the walls of the colon, at which point they become tumors; that often the difference between "cancer" and "polyp" is in the level of infiltration. Thus it is advisable to have polyps removed at as early a stage as possible.
  • mommyof2kds
    mommyof2kds Member Posts: 519
    #4
    abrub said:

    My surgeon commented that
    My surgeon commented that they are polyps until they invade the walls of the colon, at which point they become tumors; that often the difference between "cancer" and "polyp" is in the level of infiltration. Thus it is advisable to have polyps removed at as early a stage as possible.

    thanks for your comments. So
    thanks for your comments. So why wouldn't they take it out during the colonoscopy instead they told her that she needs it removed by surgery. I am so confused.?
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #5
    mommyof2kds said:

    thanks for your comments. So
    thanks for your comments. So why wouldn't they take it out during the colonoscopy instead they told her that she needs it removed by surgery. I am so confused.?

    Confused too
    I can undeferstand your confusion since the normal process is to take them if they can during the colonscopy.

    Did they do a biopsy at least?

    Perhaps it is the location which makes surgery more advisable.

    Can they do what they need to do laproscopically?

    Maybe another medical opinion would be best before going forward with the surgery. It may be that her current doc is not giving her the full scoop or he has suspicions he doesn't want to share just yet.

    You know your friend best, so maybe just recommending a second opinion would be the way to approach all this.

    Hoping for good news for your friend,

    Marie who loves kitties
  • Joy1216
    Joy1216 Member Posts: 290 Member
    #6
    Polyps
    The written information given me at my first colonoscopy included a statement that most large polyps contain cancer cells. I paid no attention to that statement. Two days later when I found out the polyp contained cancer cells, I did pay attention to it. The gastro had told me after my colonoscopy that my polyp was too large to remove with the loop and that I would have to have surgery to remove it. Little did I know that it was in the "most large polyps contain cancer cells" category.
    Joy
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #7
    mommyof2kds said:

    thanks for your comments. So
    thanks for your comments. So why wouldn't they take it out during the colonoscopy instead they told her that she needs it removed by surgery. I am so confused.?

    Sometimes they just can't
    Sometimes they just can't get it properly during a colonoscopy. A close family member had to have surgery for removal of a polyp in his colon that couldn't be reached. His was benign, so that was the end of it (tho he's on 5 year screenings.)

    Better to get the job done right - you don't want to cut into a polyp, possibly releasing cancerous cells into the body. You want it out intact, with margins to be safe.
  • mommyof2kds
    mommyof2kds Member Posts: 519
    #8
    Joy1216 said:

    Polyps
    The written information given me at my first colonoscopy included a statement that most large polyps contain cancer cells. I paid no attention to that statement. Two days later when I found out the polyp contained cancer cells, I did pay attention to it. The gastro had told me after my colonoscopy that my polyp was too large to remove with the loop and that I would have to have surgery to remove it. Little did I know that it was in the "most large polyps contain cancer cells" category.
    Joy

    ok, so it is my mom I am
    ok, so it is my mom I am talking about. She is going to call hima nd ask some questions tomorrow. But the polyp is on th RT side(descending colon). He told her I dont think it is cancer but may turn into cancer. It is a small town , not sure if I trust their opinions
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member
    #9
    mommyof2kds said:

    ok, so it is my mom I am
    ok, so it is my mom I am talking about. She is going to call hima nd ask some questions tomorrow. But the polyp is on th RT side(descending colon). He told her I dont think it is cancer but may turn into cancer. It is a small town , not sure if I trust their opinions

    The size
    Hi Petrina..

    Sometimes the size alone is the reason for surgical removal. They don't want to remove it by the colonoscopy because their is potential for too much bleeding.Large does not always mean cancerous.... but higher likelihood. Hope this helps.

    Smiles,
    Dawn

Discussion Boards