If your colonoscopy results showed one or more polyps, you’re not alone, and you’re not without options. Polyps are extremely common, especially as you get older.
The good news is that most polyps are harmless. But some can develop into colon cancer over time, which is why identifying and removing them is one of the most effective ways to prevent cancer before it starts.
So, if you’ve had polyps removed, it’s natural to wonder: “Now what?” That’s what our team at Las Vegas Gastroenterology is here to answer.
Colon polyps are small growths that form in the lining of your colon or rectum. Some stay small and harmless, but others can grow and become precancerous.
The most common types include:
Your pathology report helps determine which type of polyp we found and how often you need screenings.
In most cases, we remove polyps during your colonoscopy using a minimally invasive technique called a polypectomy.
This means you don’t need to schedule a second procedure to remove polyps. Removing the polyp eliminates the immediate risk. You may have slightly increased gas or cramping afterward, but recovery is generally quick.
After your colonoscopy, Noel R. Fajardo, MD, or Filippo Cremonini, MD, lets you know if the polyps were removed completely and if additional treatment is necessary.
Once we remove the polyps, we send them to a lab for evaluation. Pathology results typically come back within several days. These results determine the type of polyp, whether it was precancerous, whether we removed all of it, and your recommended follow-up timeline.
We review the findings with you and answer any questions you have.
Not necessarily, and in most cases, no. A polyp simply means some cells were growing abnormally. Detecting them during your colonoscopy is a sign that your colonoscopy did exactly what it was designed to do: catch issues before they become serious.
Only a very small percentage of polyps progress to cancer, and this usually occurs over many years. Early removal dramatically lowers your risk.
We let you know when you should return for another colonoscopy. This timeline depends on the number, type, and size of polyps found. In addition to the polyp information, we review your personal and family medical history and consider whether complete removal was confirmed.
Generally, if you had:
After your colonoscopy, we walk you through your report findings, the types of polyps you had, and the recommended repeat colonoscopy schedule.
After polyp removal, many of our patients ask whether there’s anything they can do to prevent polyps. While you can’t prevent all polyps, certain lifestyle habits may reduce your risk, such as:
These lifestyle changes are even more important if you already have a higher risk of colon cancer. If you’re unsure which lifestyle changes are best for you, don’t hesitate to ask us. We can give you guidance based on the types of polyps you had and your personal health history.
Polyps might not be the news you expected, but here’s the good part: Detecting them early puts you firmly in the driver’s seat. Removing polyps now dramatically cuts your risk of colorectal cancer later, so this is a big step forward for your health.
If you have questions about your post-colonoscopy plan, give us a call. If you need to schedule a colonoscopy in Las Vegas, Nevada, click here to get started.
