Most of these polyps will not become malignant (cancerous), but some can slowly turn into cancer over the course of about 10-15 years. Once cancer has developed in the colon, its progression will vary according to the cellular makeup of the tumor and other factors, such as the age and overall health of the patient.
The growth and mutation of colon polyps into cancer is a slow process, taking an estimated 10 years on average. So as long as patients are screened, it is unlikely they will develop cancerous polyps.
Most polyps grow slowly and take from between 10 and 15 years to become cancerous. Due to this general time frame, most screenings are scheduled every 10 years which gives Colorectal Surgical Associates time to remove any polyps before they become cancerous.
Colorectal cancer cells can break away from the original tumor and travel through the blood or lymph system to other parts of the body, including the liver, lungs, and brain.
How fast does colon cancer spread? Colorectal cancer tends to spread to the liver and lungs 2 years after initial cancer surgery. A 2018 study looked at Swedish people with colorectal cancer.
Colon cancer, or cancer that begins in the lower part of the digestive tract, usually forms from a collection of benign (noncancerous) cells called an adenomatous polyp. Most of these polyps will not become malignant (cancerous), but some can slowly turn into cancer over the course of about 10-15 years.
a change in bowel habits, such as constipation, diarrhea, or narrow stools, lasting more than a few days. blood in the stool, possibly making the stool look maroon or black. rectal bleeding of bright red blood. feeling as if your bowel doesn't empty after a bowel movement.
If the cancer has not spread and is localized to the colon, then the 5-year survival rate is 91%. However, if the cancer has spread to the nearby tissues or lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is 72%. The survival rate drops to 14% if the cancer spreads to distant parts of the body.
If a polyp has cancerous cells, they will also biopsy nearby lymph nodes to determine if the cancer has spread or metastasized to other areas of the body. In this case radiation, chemotherapy or other therapies may be recommended. Colonoscopy screenings can be life saving!
They can occur anywhere in the large intestine or rectum, but are more commonly found in the left colon, sigmoid colon, or rectum.
It takes approximately 10 years for a small polyp to develop into cancer.
A colon polyp is a small clump of cells that forms on the lining of the colon. Most colon polyps are harmless. But over time, some colon polyps can develop into colon cancer, which may be fatal when found in its later stages.
Cancerous polyps may cause no symptoms at all. But if you do have symptoms, they depend on where the polyp is located: Colorectal polyps may cause belly pain, constipation, diarrhea or blood in your poop. Stomach polyps may cause nausea, belly pain, vomiting and bleeding.
If they found precancerous cells, there is no need for any additional treatment as long as they removed the entire polyp. Removing the tissue stops the development of cancer. Since you are still at an increased risk, we will likely recommend repeating the screening every three to five years in the future.
Approximately 1% of polyps with a diameter less than 1 centimeter (cm) are cancerous. More than one polyp or a polyp that is 1 cm or bigger places you at higher risk for colon cancer. Up to 50% of polyps greater than 2 cm (about the diameter of a nickel) are cancerous.
One factor is the location of the polyp. Detecting right-sided polyps can be more challenging due to the shape of colonic folds and need for complete colonoscopy. Right-sided lesions can be indicative of increased risk of recurrence of advanced adenomas.
Although malignant sessile colon polyps usually require colectomy for proper treatment, the vast majority of malignant pedunculated polyps can be removed colonoscopically for cure.
Most people with colon polyps have no symptoms and don't know they have them. But if you have symptoms — like rectal bleeding, blood in your stools, or other bowel changes — you should see your provider.
Most polyps are protrusions from the lining of the intestine: Polypoid polyps look like a mushroom, but flop around inside the intestine because they are attached to the lining of the colon by a thin stalk. Sessile polyps do not have a stalk, and are attached to the lining by a broad base.
In 1 to 7 years, depending on a variety of factors: The number, size and type of polyps removed; if you have a history of polyps in previous colonoscopy procedures; if you have certain genetic syndromes; or if you have a family history of colon cancer.
Villous Adenoma (Tubulovillous Adenoma)
Approximately 15 percent of polyps detected in colon cancer screening are villous or tubulovillous adenomas. This type of polyp carries a high risk of turning cancerous.
Colon cancer most often spreads to the liver, but it can also spread to other places like the lungs, brain, peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity), or to distant lymph nodes. In most cases surgery is unlikely to cure these cancers.
Early symptoms of colon cancer might include blood in the stool; persistent problems in defecating (long-lasting diarrhea or constipation); feelings of cramping, distension or pain in the area of the bowel; or a persistent decrease in the size of the stool.
In general, colorectal cancers tend to be slow growing, gradually enlarging and eventually penetrating the bowel wall. When they do spread, it is usually through invasion of nearby lymph nodes. In fact, cancer cells may enter a lymph node even before the tumor penetrates through the intestinal wall.