Introduction
Colon polyps are growths of the intestinal wall. The polyps are also called colorectal adenomas and can appear in different forms. Although the polyps are benign in themselves, they can degenerate into malignant growths in the course of their development, which means they are often precursors of colorectal cancer.
The colon polyps are discovered during a colonoscopy, in most cases they can be removed during the colonoscopy. Early detection of colorectal cancer can thus prevent the benign colorectal adenomas from developing into malignant colorectal carcinomas, i.e. colon cancer. By participating in the colorectal cancer screening program, the risk of developing colorectal cancer can be reduced by removing early precancerous lesions.
Preparation for a bowel polyp removal
The preparation for a colon polyp removal consists mainly of the preparation for the colonoscopy. To prepare for this examination, the intestine must be thoroughly cleaned. For this purpose, the removal must be started the day before the examination.
Laxatives are used for this purpose, which consist mainly of salts that the body cannot absorb. Through the salt, water is drawn out of the body into the intestine by osmosis. In this way, the intestinal contents are effectively excreted.
Detailed instructions on how to perform the intestinal cleansing can be obtained from the practice that performs the examination. Since large amounts of water are withdrawn from the body by the laxative measures, it is important to consume large amounts of clear liquid. It is also important to avoid foods that are difficult to digest and may stick to the intestinal wall a few days before the examination. These are fibrous foods and vegetables with a difficult to digest skin, such as tomatoes. No more food should be taken from midday before the examination.
What are the options for removal?
The most commonly used method of removing colon polyps is with a sling. This sling can be introduced to the polyps through a working channel of the coloscope. The coloscope is the long flexible camera that is inserted through the anus.
The sling is then placed around the polyp and tightened. Electric current is then applied to the loop, which heats the tissue and cuts off the polyp. The polyp must then be recovered and sent to the pathology department for examination to determine whether cancer cells are present in the polyp.
However, the loop method is not possible with some forms of polyps, another possibility is removal by laser, where laser light can remove the polyps in a targeted manner. This method can also be performed as part of colonoscopy. However, if these less invasive measures are not possible, for example because of the size or because the polyp has grown too deeply into the intestinal wall, the polyp must be surgically removed. Some new methods are currently being tested that allow endoscopic removal, even of polyps that otherwise can only be removed surgically.