What Is A Sigmoid Colon Polyp?

Precancerous Colon Polyps

A sigmoid colon polyp is a small cell mass attached to the lining of the sigmoid colon (see the picture near the bottom of this page). A sigmoid colon polyp is a concern because they sometimes become cancerous. These masses are known as precancerous colon polyps.

Having a sigmoid colon polyp (see the picture to the right) doesn't mean it's certain that colon cancer will follow, but it's better to have them removed if they're present. Colon polyp surgery can be done during a procedure called a colonoscopy.

During a colonoscopy, a surgeon uses a device called a colonoscope to examine the inside of the colon. A colonoscope is a long flexible tube with a small video camera attached to the front. Click on colonoscopy for more information about the colonoscope and colonoscopies in general.

A sigmoid colon polyp can develop anywhere in your colon. Sometimes they're small and flat. These are described by the word sessile. Or they may be shaped like a mushroom with a stalk, in which case they described as pedunculated.

A sigmoid colon polyp can be as small as a pea or as big as a golf ball. Small and mushroom-shaped polyps are much less likely to become cancerous. Flat or large sigmoid colon polyps are more likely. In general, the larger a polyp, the greater the risk of colon cancer.

Not everyone gets sigmoid colon polyps, but you have a higher risk if

• you're more than 50 years old
• are overweight or obese
• smoke,
• eat a high-fat, low-fiber diet, or
• have a personal or family history of colon polyps or colon cancer.

Sigmoid colon polyp symptoms Colon polyps symptoms rarely present themselves if they are small, so doctors recommend regular screening for polyps for anyone over the age of 50. Your doctor may recommend screening sooner if you're in a higher risk group.

Larger sigmoid colon polyps symptoms sometimes include

• rectal bleeding
• bloody stools
• constipation, diarrhea, or narrowing of stools, and
• changes in bowel habits, pain or obstruction of the bowels.

When sigmoid colon polyps are found early, they can usually be removed safely and completely, which lowers your risk of getting colon cancer. Colon cancer is often fatal when it's diagnosed in the advanced stages.

Treatment The first step is finding out if a sigmoid colon polyps is malignant or not. Your doctor is likely to remove all polyps discovered during a bowel examination. This can be done using a snare device attached to the colonoscope. If a polyp is too large to remove with the snare, it can also be removed through laparoscopic surgery.

A pathologist then makes a determination by examining a sigmoid polyp tissue under a microscope.

Prevention There's no guaranteed way to prevent colon polyps. But you can lower you chances of ever getting polyps or colon cancer through lifestyle changes and regular screenings.

A healthy diet, exercise, no tobacco product use, and limiting the amount of alcohol you drink will all help.

Make sure you get plenty of calcium, which helps protect against sigmoid colon polyps and cancers. Broccoli, kale and canned salmon with the bones are all great sources. Vitamin D also appears to help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.

Click on American Cancer Society's Complete Guide to Colorectal Cancer to go to Amazon.com's product information page for this book.

It is also available from Barnes and Noble by clicking here or Borders by clicking here.