Disorders Of The Colon: Colonic Polyps
These last years, the polyps of two points became a popular discussion in the scientific world. A polyp is a structure that occurs when an area of the intestine starts to grow, forming a little pouch. These growths are benign growth, and the little out-pouches will contain layers of the intestine.
The average diameter of a polyp is approximately two to four millimeters in width. Even though they are benign, in some conditions the appearance of a polyp within the intestine can eventually lead to cancer. In order for a polyp to transform into colon cancer, it will depend on the type of cells contained within the polyp, and which were the original lining of the intestine.
When a colon polyp does transform into cancer, a small hard ball of cells is formed, mixed with the stem cells of the normal colon tissue. This hard ball of cells will continue to change in shape and size until it is detected as a cancerous growth.
There are more than one type of polyp. The first type of polyps is known as the Metaplastic polyp. They are larger size than the other types of polyps, and are usually not malignant.
The second most common type of polyps is an Adnenomatous polyp. They are one of the main types that can become cancerous, especially if they are found in an older person. At least fifty percent of people over the age of sixty will have at least one Adenomatous polyp. If someone is diagnosed with multiple polyps, this increases their risk of being diagnosed with colon cancer.
A less common type of polyp is found in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. They have a lesser risk of becoming cancerous, but the risk increases if present in adults. Removals of these polyps are usually treated by surgical extraction, and close monitoring of the patient in case other polyps reoccur.
Tags: Colon Cancer, colon-polyps, peutz-jeghers-syndrome, polypectomy