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01921.txt
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1994-01-17
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$Unique_ID{BRK01921}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Is the One Year Follow Up Necessary After Polyps are Removed?}
$Subject{Follow Up Necessary Polyps Removed colon scoping benign adenomatous
sessile pedunculated male males man men cancer cancers cancerous colonoscopy
malignant examine examination examinations blood stool feces precaution
precautions bleed bleeding cause causes diet diets fiber fat incidence
frequency tumor tumors carcinogen carcinogens colonic toxic toxin}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Colonoscopic View of Colon Conditions*0002803.scf
Discussion of Colonoscopy*0002801.scf}
Copyright (c) 1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
Is the One Year Follow Up Necessary After Polyps are Removed?
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QUESTION: After much urging by my wife and children, I finally had a colon
scoping done. The surgeon told me it was a good thing for he found (and
removed) 3 polyps. Though he assured me that they were benign, and that I had
nothing to worry about, he has now scheduled me for another examination in
just one year. Is this really necessary? Just when will I be finished with
these exams? Your good advice is read every day by my family and myself and
is always much appreciated. Your answer to these questions will be even more
so.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: Colon polyps (also called adenomatous polyps) are quite common in
males over the age of 40 years. They grow out of the tissue lining of the
colon and can be found either attached to the inner wall by a stalk
(pedunculated) or by a broad base (sessile). Since they do have a tendency
to turn cancerous, having the examination (colonoscopy) with the removal of
the polyps was a sound idea. Of course the earlier they are detected and
removed, the less chance there is that there is time enough for this malignant
change to occur. When polyps are found, the recommendations for follow up now
include a follow-up examination within one year. This examination can find
any new polyps that were present at the first examination but too small to
detect and remove at that time. If this follow up examination is negative,
you won't be asked to have another examination until 3-5 years have passed.
There are a few things you can do, though, to be sure that all is
continuing to go well. A yearly examination for hidden blood in your stool is
a wise precaution, even if it is still not a precise test. It can catch a
polyp that is developing and bleeding, indicating the need for another
scoping. Although the cause of polyps is unclear, it is certain that diets
that are high in fiber and low in fat can reduce the incidence and frequency
of these tumors. The fiber presumably works by speeding the stool through the
colon, reducing the time that carcinogens remain in contact with the colonic
lining. In addition fiber may also reduce the concentration of potentially
toxic substance by increasing the bulk of the stool.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.