Flat Polyps and Follow Up CT

[sgk1223]

Good Afternoon all. I writing as a concerned daughter worried sick about her mom. On 1/30/17 my mother had a colonoscopy because "it was time". At 66 she had not have a colonoscopy in almost 20 years. Her sister had Crohns Disease and a history of polyps. After the procedure her Dr came out and told me that he had found 2 polyps that he was able to remove but he had also found 1 large flat polyps that was "concerning". Because of the size and location of the flat polyp he was unable to remove it. He said that regardless of whether there was something cancerous or not, the flat polyp should be removed surgically. He simple took a sample from the flat polyps for testing and we'd know something in no more than a week. Fast forward till 2 days ago and we had heard nothing from the Dr or the lab.. My family and I were persistent in trying to obtain any news after holding our breath for a week and half. Yesterday we were told by a nurse (when we physically had to show up at the office for answers since they weren't returning calls) that the two he removed were benign and that the flat polyp sample they took appeared to be non cancerous but the root of the polyp showed an "activity of cells". Today she is having a CT of her abdomen and her pelvis. We will review the results with the Dr on Tuesday.

Have any of you had similar experiences. When we meet with the Dr on Tuesday what are some important things we should ask either way.. especially if they think it's malignant. I want to be strong and supportive for my mom and she's been my anchor for my whole life but I'm just so scared.

[Lee]

Hi and welcome.

First I would find a new Dr. Sorry when you have to show up at the office to get results, because they don't return calls.. To me that is a RED FLAG. If you want, keep the appt butt do look for another Dr ASAP. Than have all records forward to new Dr with a new follow up appt.

I am not a Dr, butt I suspect if it does come back with cancer, it could be in the early stage, highly treatable. It is good she got a scan, they are looking for possible spread to lymph nodes and/or near by organs. If it is cancer, get a CEA blood test. A PET scan may also be needed.

Questions to ask if it is cancer, where is it located, rectal or colon?
What is the stage?
Will the surgery be laproscopic or will she be cut open?
How long of a hospital stay.
Will she need radiation prior to surgery.

My advice especially if it's rectal cancer, get a board certified, colon rectal surgeon.

When you know more, come back here with what you have, you will find a wealth of information and support here.

All the best, try not to worry until you know for sure it is cancer. It could come back as precancer.

Lee

[sgk1223]

Thank you so much for your reply. About to head to the Dr with my mother to discuss the results of her CT scan. Praying for no growth outside of the colon.

[Sams wife]

I had a family member get a flat polyp taken out. Here wasnt cancerous, but they said it needed to come out. They sent her to a specialist in that surgery in Wash. DC
They ended up cutting it out the same way a colonoscopy is. Not sure if that was laparoscopic. That is just the way she worded it. I hope you moms turns out to be nothing too!

[ayellesse]

I am in a similar situation where prophylactic colon resection was recommended. Do you know why the polyp is considered difficult to remove? Large, flat (sessile) and location are among the reasons. However, a skilled colonoscopist can successfully resect even these. Here is a link to Jim Sease's very educational website where he explains in great detail the steps he took to successfully avoid prophylactic colon resection for a difficult polyp:

http://www.sease.com/polyp/emr.html

As well, there is a newer procedure that involves laparascopic assisted colonoscopy when the polyps are in a difficult location. The polyp is removed through the colonoscope while the colon is left in tact. I actually contacted this particular facility sending them the colonoscopy report and images and both the surgeon and the gasterenterologist determined that my difficult polyp could be removed with regular interventional colonoscopy.

https://connect.uclahealth.org/discussi ... rts-story/

You have some time to do some research and get a second opinion from an experienced interventional gastroenterologist. I'm not sure a colorectal surgeon can tell you that a polyp cannot be removed by a skilled interventionist, but perhaps there are some who can and who would be objective.

~Aye

[ozziej]

A colonoscopy by a local GI found a large sessile polyp in June 2014. Pathology suggested it was benign. Referred to EMR specialist who removed the polyp during colonoscopy number 2. Pathology showed adenocarcinoma. A week later colonoscopy number 3 for EMR guy to tattoo margins prior to referral to colorectal surgeon. ULAR with temporary loop ileo in March 2015, staged as T2N0M0, reversal in May 2015. Nearly 2 years out i have moderate to severe LARS. There is some early evidence that EMR followed by mop up chemo may be as successful as ULAR in preventing recurrence. This may prevent ongoing bowel issues but the trade off is chemo associated after effects. I was never offered this option but it may be worth investigating if the pathology identifies malignancy. Wishing you and your mum all the best.