Removing large colon polyp - Digestive Disorders Message Board

sunshine123 · 02-24-2004, 12:55 PM

Hi everyone: My husband had a colonoscopy today and the Dr. removed a small polyp and found another one that was too large too remove. It's the flat kind and the Dr. said it isn't cancerous, although he did a biopsy to make sure. He mentioned something about possibly having surgery to remove the large one. Has anyone had this done and what's involved. We should get the biopsy results in a few days. I'm already worrying about what's going to happen b/c my husband has always been "my rock" and taken care of me after lots of surgeries. I don't have any family and his family is in the midwest. I'd appreciate any info you guys have. Thanks.

KennyH · 03-18-2004, 01:22 PM

I guess I am in the same boat with your husband. I have a large polup that the doctors are recomending surgery. It is a fairly serious operation as they take out part of the colon. I have been doing lots of research on this issue and I have an appointment with a colon/rectal specialist tomorrow. I'll let you know more after my discussions with him. My thinking so far is it is best to have the operation particularly if you have any family history of colon cancer. My family has no history of colon cancer and live into upper 80-90's so I am still uncertain on this issue.

sunshine123 · 03-18-2004, 01:51 PM

Hi Kenny: I'm sorry you're dealing with a large colon also. Our GI Dr. had said something about removing the polyp in 3 separate colonoscopies or a resection, which sounds like what you've been told about. Our Internist said something about a laparotomy, where they make a small hole. His biopsy was negative for cancer, thank God. Since his father had cancer though, the Dr. said he should have it taken out. Let me know what you find out about the surgery and good luck to you. GTW, I had a brother named Kenny.

KennyH · 03-19-2004, 02:02 PM

I believe I have very interesting news to report. The colon/rectial specialist does not think I have much of a problem. He thinks they probably removed over 50% of it in the colonosphy. His recomendation was to have another colonosphy after 6 months. He did not have any idea why the original gastrologist would not release the pictures of the polup. Pictures are the patients by law so we are both scratching our heads with that. The type of polup that I have has a large base. It is the most deficult to remove as it grows like English Ivey was his description. Since the biopsy shows no cancer he thinks he can remove the rest with the next colonosphy. This will then be biopsied so if the remaining part has cancer the operation would be on. He says if all of it is not removed that is also not a problem as it will not spread. So the only danger is that the remaining portion of the polup may be cancerious. He feels the likelyhood of that is almost nil ie less than .01 percent.
My take is that the previous doctor wanted to be 100% certain no problems can happen from this. This Doctor is more confortable with the likelyhood of it developing into cancer being less than .01 percent. Family history he said was very important. First doctor never even asked about family history. Diet is also very important and first doctor never ask about that either. I was very impressed with this doctor. He has 30 years experience as a colon/rectical specialist. I guess time will tell for sure. May have saved myself an operation!

sunshine123 · 03-19-2004, 03:32 PM

Hey Kenny:

That is great news. I'm happy for you. Your 2nd Dr. does sound a lot more thorough than the first one. Continued good luck to you and thanks for posting again.