Pre-Cancerous Polyp Found During Colon Exam ! - Cancer: Colon Message Board

jonphotog · 03-28-2009, 09:14 AM

I am a 45 year old male. 2 years ago during a routine colonoscopy the Dr found a pre-cancerous (benign) polyp. She removed it. When I went back for the consult she told me that usually with these pre cancerous polyps she would recommend a follow up procedure in 3 years, but in my case she said lets do another colon exam in 2 year, because she said something to the effect that the "stalk" of the polyp was deep and when she cut it she couldnt get all of it so there was a tiny raised area of it left.
I havent given it a second thought, until NOW, because next month it will be 2 years, and I am due to get this god awful procedure done again......anyway, I am just curious if anyone has ever heard of this kind of situation. Wa smy doctor keeping something from me that she didnt want to tell me, or am I just a hypochondriac neurotic ???

idunno · 03-28-2009, 05:52 PM

Hi Jon,
I ws dx with stage3 cc with 6 nodes involved. I had surgery and chemo. That was back in 98 and I have been ca free since. I have had on average one scope a year since. During that time I have had several polyps removed(my original ca was from a polyp). On one occassion I had two small polyps removed and one had displaysia (pre-cancerous changes). I asked about follow up and my GI said not to worry , that nothing bad would start up within three years. I don't make a habit of believing doctors but I had my next scope a year later and everything was fine. My advice is to stay vigilant. Make sure you have the scope and although the prep is unpleasant make them a regular part of your life. I personally would not accept a scope schedule of longer than three years between scopes. Best of luck.Ron.

fufu · 03-28-2009, 07:05 PM

your doctor was not keeping anything from you. if a polyp is not removed it can turn into cancer. everyone should have a colonoscopy, and everyone that has had polyps has follow ups, which is routine to make sure there is no new growth.
if there is, again polyp is removed and sent off to the lab to be tested.
removing the polyps can be life saving.

jonphotog · 03-28-2009, 08:57 PM

My concern was why she insisted on 2 years instead of the normal 3 years. Oh well......I know I worry too much

lilsunshine46 · 04-17-2009, 05:45 AM

I am curious as to why my drs only told me to come back in 5 yrs time , although I have never made it to the 5 yrs , I have had "problems" bleeding that has taken me in before that time.I have had 3 colonoscopies in an 8 year time period. I have started having bleeding again and abdominal pain and wonder if I don't need to go again. . I Hope your procedure goes well, I would try not to stress about it, easier said than done. Best just to get it done and than worry about it once it's done. The best thing is that the Prep is the worst part for most of us.