Fifty-five-year-old Mr. Li thought he was in good health until a routine health check-up. During the examination, doctors found several polyps in his large intestine. The discovery shocked him because he had never felt any discomfort. Through further examination, the doctor confirms that the polyps are not cancerous, but that they could be at any time. Through endoscopic surgery, the polyp was successfully removed and Mr. Li was spared the threat of bowel cancer. This experience made him realize the importance of regular check-ups.
Mr. Lee's story is not unusual. Many people with polyps often have no symptoms in the early stages, and these polyps can develop into bowel cancer. Therefore, it is essential to understand the knowledge of intestinal polyps, early detection and treatment, and to prevent bowel cancer.
Intestinal Polyp Basics: Know Your Invisible Threat
1. Definition and types of intestinal polyps
Intestinal polyps are protrusions of tissue that grow on the lining of the large intestine, and most are benign tumors, but some types can develop into bowel cancer. Polyps can be classified into different types based on their morphology and biological characteristics:
Adenomous polyps: This is the most common type and has the potential to become cancerous.
Inflammatory polyps: usually occur in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and have a low risk of becoming cancerous.
Hamartoma polyps: These polyps are structurally abnormal and have a very low chance of becoming cancerous.
2. Risk factors
The occurrence of intestinal polyps is related to a variety of factors, including:
Genetic predisposition: Genetic conditions, such as familial adenomatosis, make patients more susceptible to polyp formation.
Lifestyle: Poor eating habits (such as a high-fat, low-fiber diet), obesity, and physical inactivity can all increase the risk of developing polyps.
3. Symptom recognition
Many people with intestinal polyps may have no symptoms at all in the early stages. As the condition progresses, some symptoms may develop gradually, including:
Changes in bowel habits: such as alternating episodes of constipation or diarrhea.
Occult blood: Blood in the stool, which is usually invisible to the naked eye and needs to be detected by a special examination.
Untreated polyps have the potential to develop into bowel cancer. According to statistics, about 5% of adenomatous polyps eventually develop into bowel cancer. Therefore, by detecting and removing polyps early, the risk of developing bowel cancer can be significantly reduced.
In addition, the diagnosis of intestinal polyps not only prevents the development of cancer, but also serves as an important marker to assess the health of an individual.
"Prevention is better than prevention": how to diagnose and manage intestinal polyps?
Accurate diagnosis: a means of detection of intestinal polyps
Early detection of intestinal polyps is crucial because timely detection and treatment can block their pathways to bowel cancer. The most effective diagnostic tool is a colonoscopy, which not only allows a direct view of the inside of the intestine but also allows for immediate removal of polyps when they are found.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is the "gold standard" for identifying and diagnosing intestinal polyps. With this method, the doctor can directly observe what is going on inside the intestine and can remove a small polyp sample for pathological analysis during the examination. This test is low-risk for the patient and is usually done on an outpatient basis with sedation to reduce discomfort.
CT colonography
For patients who cannot undergo colonoscopy, CT colonography offers another option. This method uses a high-resolution CT scan to look at the intestine and can spot polyps and other abnormal structures. Although this method is safe, it does not remove polyps, and if a polyp is detected, colonoscopy is still required to confirm the diagnosis and treatment.
Biomarker testing
In recent years, researchers are developing biomarker tests in the blood to non-invasively identify possible intestinal polyps or bowel cancers. Although this technology is still in the research stage, it is expected to be a useful screening tool in the future.
Treatment strategy: What to do when an intestinal polyp is found?
Endoscopic polyp excision
Once a polyp is detected by colonoscopy, the most common treatment is endoscopic polypectomy. This is a relatively simple procedure in which the polyp is removed using an endoscopic tool and sent for pathology. This method has a high success rate and a low recurrence rate, making it the preferred method for managing intestinal polyps.
Surgical treatment
For larger or multiple polyps, or polyps with a high degree of malignancy found by pathologic examination, more complex surgery may be required. In some cases, surgical removal may be necessary if the polyp is located or sized in such a way that it cannot be safely removed endoscopically. Surgical options include open surgery or laparoscopic surgery, depending on the specific condition of the polyp and the overall health of the patient.
Postoperative follow-up and management
After polyp removal surgery, patients need to have regular colonoscopy follow-ups. The frequency of follow-up tests depends on factors such as the number, size, and type of initial polyps, and whether they are completely removed. Usually, the first follow-up is recommended to be done one year after surgery, and if the condition is stable, it can be followed up every three to five years.