Can Polyps Increase the Risk of Colon Cancer

The question which many people ask, “Can polyps increase the risk of colon cancer?” is a very relevant one. Colon cancer has been dubbed as the third most common form of cancer in the United States, and according to the American Cancer Society, about 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are recorded annually, with about 50,000 deaths resulting from it. Against this backdrop, it is important for everyone, particularly adults over 50 years of age, to understand the causes and risk factors for colon cancer. The causes of colon cancer have been dealt with in another section of this site. The focus of this article however, will be an attempt to answer the question, “Can polyps increase the risk of colon cancer?”

Understanding Polyps

The first thing required before this question can be answered is an understanding of what exactly polyps are. Polyps are small sacs that protrude above the normal surface level of tissues. They are usually found on the inner wall lining of the cavity of a cylindrical organ such as the colon, stomach, bladder, rectum, larynx or uterus. Polyps are classified into different types which include inflammatory, hyperplastic or neoplastic. Inflammatory and hyperplastic polyps are not life threatening because they do not become cancerous. However, neoplastic polyps can be further classified into either benign or cancerous neoplastic polyps.

Can Polyps Increase the Risk of Colon Cancer?

The answer to this question is definitely yes. This is because tumors of the colon start out as polyps as explained above. These polyps, depending on the type, are the precursors of colon cancer, especially the ones referred to as adenomatous polyps. There is actually a condition referred to as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis. In this condition, polyps develop early in life and if they are not treated, they lead to the development of colon cancer. Some other conditions in which this phenomenon occurs include Cowden’s disease, Turcot’s syndrome, Gardner’s syndrome, and Peutz-Jagher’s syndrome. All these conditions result in the formation of polyps and can all increase the risk of colon cancer.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Polyps

The secret to the successful management of polyposis lies in early detection and diagnosis. Three techniques can be employed in the diagnosis of polyps and they are colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy and barium enema. These procedures, particularly the first two, are extremely effective in detecting polyps as well as colon cancer. In fact, the American Cancer Society recommends that adults over the age of 50 should undergo these two procedures regularly in order to aid early detection and arrest of the condition. Small polyps are removed with the aid of a colonoscope, and larger ones are removed by undergoing surgery.

In light of this information, the answer to the question, “Can polyps increase the risk of colon cancer?” is yes. Some polyps are benign, but there are times when polyps eventually lead to the formation of colon cancer if their development is not arrested.