What is a colon polyp?
大腸瘜肉是由大腸黏膜組織異常增生形成的細胞腫塊。大腸瘜肉呈凸起狀，一般會生長於大腸壁上，亦有少數生長於大腸中的直腸段。在香港，大腸癌持續成為本港最常見癌症，大腸癌新症數字更每年遞增，而「腸瘜肉」正是引致大腸癌的重要成因。透過適時進行大腸鏡檢查，及早發現並將腸瘜肉切除，可有效阻截瘜肉繼續增大或發生癌變。而按香港癌症基金呼籲，年滿50歲人士應與醫生商討，適時進行大腸鏡檢查。
Two Types of Polyps
【Hyperplastic Polyps】
Hyperplastic Polyps usually in the form of tiny bumps on the rectum and the colon sigmoid. Its colour is similar to and usually lighter than that of the intestinal mucosa.
Hyperplastic Polyps are unlikely to develop into malignant tumours. However, it is not possible to determine if the polyp is benign or malignant. A polyp removal procedure will be carried out and have the tissue sent for a cancer biopsy.
【Adenomatous Polyps】
形狀多樣化，顏色較為偏紅，會生長於大腸內不同位置，屬癌前病變，具有較高風險在10至15年間由一粒細小瘜肉演變成大腸癌。惟及早透過Colonoscopy examination發現及適時將腸瘜肉切除，可有助避免大腸癌的發生。
Risk Factors
【Unhealthy Lifestyles and Diets】
Following a low-fibre and high-fat diet (especially red meat), smoking, alcohol consumption is going to irritate the intestinal mucosa and stimulate abnormal cell growth to form polyps.
Symptoms
- Change in bowel habits (have diarrhoea/ constipation over a week)
- Black or red streaked stool
- Blood or mucus in the stool
- Belly pain etc.
Do I have to remove my polyps?
Most colorectal cancers are developed from a polyp. Even though most polyps are benign at the early stage, it is possible for the polyps to further deteriorate and become cancerous if a timely removal procedure is not carried out. Therefore, if a bowel polyp is found, it should be removed immediately.
Can I have my polyps removed while having a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a common intestinal exam in Hong Kong. It uses a soft intestinal endoscope of diameter around 1.3 cm to enter your colon from the anus and examine your colon wall carefully. The doctor can know the condition of your colon wall from the screen. It is also possible to remove polyps with other medical devices simultaneously. The doctor may take tissues for a biopsy if the polyps are suspected to be cancerous.
