Polyposis of the Colon

Polyps are tissue growths that form from the colonic mucosa.
They may be of benign origin or they can turn into a carcinoma.

Causes 
All patients may develop polyps although those with certain characteristics or who are associated with specific risk factors are more at risk:

• over 50 years old 
• previous presence of polyposis phenomena
• family history of polyposis
• family history of colon cancer
• uterine or colon cancer before age 50
• high calorie diet
• smoking
• alcohol
• obesity

Symptoms
In most cases where polyps were found in the colon, the patient had no symptoms.
The main symptoms, where present, are the following:

• bleeding from the anus
• prolonged constipation or diarrhoea
• blood in the stool
• fatigue

Diagnosis
While there are multiple tests to verify the presence of polyps in the colon, the cornerstone of a diagnosis is a colonoscopy and CT of the colon.

Treatment
In the case of benign colon polyposis, only polyps are removed during the colonoscopy.
In the case of malignant polyposis of the colon or of polyps that cannot be removed endoscopically, the planned interventions are of a surgical type and consist mainly of the removal of the colon section in which the polyps are present. These interventions are mainly performed laparoscopically. 
Family history of polyposis requires multi-disciplinary and multi-dimensional medical care specific to each individual patient.