Precancerous Polyp at 23

[Overwhelmed1416]

I've had "tummy troubles" most of my life. Blood, pain, cramping, etc...
I recently changed doctors and he noticed my significant weight loss (70 lbs/year) and started asking questions. This eventually led to a colonoscopy/endoscopy combo to check for Celiac. He found a hiatal hernia and a precancerous polyp which he removed, but no evidence of intestinal damage. I've been diagnosed as having a gluten sensitivity.
My doctor was 100% shocked and even referenced God, as I would have probably died before my young children finished elementary school.
What does this mean for my future? I was honestly in such shock that I couldn't even ask questions.

[JJH]

I've had "tummy troubles" most of my life. Blood, pain, cramping, etc...
I recently changed doctors and he noticed my significant weight loss (70 lbs/year) and started asking questions. This eventually led to a colonoscopy/endoscopy combo to check for Celiac. He found a hiatal hernia and a precancerous polyp which he removed, but no evidence of intestinal damage. I've been diagnosed as having a gluten sensitivity.
My doctor was 100% shocked and even referenced God, as I would have probably died before my young children finished elementary school.
What does this mean for my future? I was honestly in such shock that I couldn't even ask questions.

Will you be meeting with your doctor again soon to discuss the issue of your pre-cancerous polyp? Is the doctor planning more tests to clarify the problem?

You will probably need to have a followup colonoscopy eventually to see if new polyps develop, but the timing of the next colonoscopy would depend on what kind of polyp this was, how large it was, what histological grade it was, where it was located, whether other family members have had polyps, and other factors such as possible genetic mutations.

The article below gives a brief overview of some of the main issues. I hope you can get more clarification the next time you see your doctor. Be sure to take notes and ask lots of questions at your next meeting.

Colon Polyps
http://patients.gi.org/topics/colon-polyps/#tabs2

[Lee]

Yes you should be scoped on a regular bases. Has any relatives been diagnosed with colon cancer? Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.

If you have sibling, they should also be scoped.

If you can, get a copy of the pathology report.

Glad they found it early, you were lucky your Dr gave you that referral,

Lee

[veckon]

I've had "tummy troubles" most of my life. Blood, pain, cramping, etc...
I recently changed doctors and he noticed my significant weight loss (70 lbs/year) and started asking questions. This eventually led to a colonoscopy/endoscopy combo to check for Celiac. He found a hiatal hernia and a precancerous polyp which he removed, but no evidence of intestinal damage. I've been diagnosed as having a gluten sensitivity.
My doctor was 100% shocked and even referenced God, as I would have probably died before my young children finished elementary school.
What does this mean for my future? I was honestly in such shock that I couldn't even ask questions.

Get tested for Lynch Syndrome.

[NHMike]

Lynch Syndrome is an inherited condition which predisposes to adults getting cancer in their 20s and 30s. There are two tests commonly used: ImmunoHistoChemistry and Genetic testing. The test looks for Microsatellite Instability which has to do with the ability of your cells to repair genetic copying errors. If you do have Lynch, then there are targeted drugs to treat cancers resulting from it. So it may be worthwhile for you to have the testing done.

[SweetC80]

It must be scary and overwhelming to get this information, but hopefully you will meet with your doctor soon to put a monitoring plan in place and ease your mind for the future. Also you should be tested for Lynch Syndrome. I have a family meme ER with Lynch and starting in his kid 20s has gone every 3 years for a colonoscopy and every time has a couple polyps removed. His doctors told him just to keep up with it and as long as they keep removing the polyps before they. Can grow into cancer he should be ok. Good luck.

[veckon]

Lynch Syndrome is associated with a dramatically increased lifetime risk of developing many different types of cancer, colorectal just being the highest risk factor of them all. But it does not predispose you to cancer as a young adult. The neoplasticity resulting from a pathological mutation in your DNA mismatch repair genes will happen completely at random.

The reason why colonoscopies every 1-2 years is so important from a young age when you have Lynch is because that is the only way to prevent malignancies from developing in the first place, as Lynch associated tumors are fast growing and do not develop like "normal" polyps.