Is Removal Of 20 Polyps During A Colonoscopy A Large Amount And A Serious Issue?

Posted on Thu, 24 Mar 2022

Question: I recently had a colonoscopy and was told by the doctor that he removed twenty polyps. That sounds like a lot of polyps for one to have such a number as this. I'd appreciate your thoughts.Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You possibly have autosomal recessive familial adenomatous polyposis

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

You possibly have Familial adenomatous polyposis wherein there can be numerous polyps present in the colon and the number of polyps increases with age, and hundreds to thousands of polyps can develop in the colon. So, 20 is rather a small number. Fewer than 100 polyps typically develop in the milder type of familial adenomatous polyposis, known as autosomal recessive familial adenomatous polyposis.

People with this disease may begin to develop multiple noncancerous (benign) growths (polyps) in the colon as early as their teenage years. Unless the colon is removed, these polyps may become malignant (cancerous). So, it is really good that you got the polyps removed.

Let me know if you would like to know anything more.
Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy