polyps & bowel cancer
Colonic Polyps
Polyps are small, usually benign lumps that may occur in the colon, and that are generally removable by colonoscopy (polypectomy).
They may cause rectal bleeding and are largely non-cancerous, although a small number may have cancer within them. They may sometimes co-exist with colon cancer.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer may or may not cause symptoms. Rectal bleeding, diarrhoea, constipation, change in bowel opening habits, a persistent urge to want to open the bowels (tenesmus), passage of mucus from the rectum, anaemia and occasionally abdominal pain may be some of the many ways bowel cancer may present.
Investigations necessary may be several and could include a colonoscopy.
The diagnosis is handled with care, and CT scan of the Chest, Abdomen and Pelvis for staging the disease is necessary. For rectal cancer, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan is an additional requirement.
The options for treatment are multiple and the treatment plan is formulated for each patient within the context of a multidisciplinary team that includes a broad range of specialists that include surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and others.