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What Does CT Scan And Biopsy Of Polyps Showing Inconclusive For Cancer Mean?
I had a colonoscopy two weeks ago and the doctor told me immediately afterwards I had cancer. After having a CT scan and biopsy of several polyps I have now been told it s inconclusive. I don t go for a consultation until Wednesday but I am so confused. I have told my family I have cancer please can you advise?
Tue, 4 May 2021
Hi,
Usually, just by colonoscopic visualisation, it is really hard to tell, if you are having a cancer of colon or not. Particularly it is still more difficult to predict, if a polyp is cancerous or not. However, with histopathological report of polyps, it can be diagnosed with certainity about a benign polyp or a malignant polyp. As a matter of fact, in some cases, the cell features are not of cancerous cells, still some changes in the cells are noted and these changes in the cells are known as dysplasia.
These dysplasic cells may be some times termed as inconclusive in biopsy. However, these may be more prone to malignancy and hence, can be termed as pre-cancerous polyps. But fortunately, most of the polyps are benign, where as some may be pre-cancerous. Still malignant polyps are very rare. In such inconclusive cases, careful follow up is necessary and if indicated then repeat biopsy after some time may be needed for reaching at a final diagnosis.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
Usually, just by colonoscopic visualisation, it is really hard to tell, if you are having a cancer of colon or not. Particularly it is still more difficult to predict, if a polyp is cancerous or not. However, with histopathological report of polyps, it can be diagnosed with certainity about a benign polyp or a malignant polyp. As a matter of fact, in some cases, the cell features are not of cancerous cells, still some changes in the cells are noted and these changes in the cells are known as dysplasia.
These dysplasic cells may be some times termed as inconclusive in biopsy. However, these may be more prone to malignancy and hence, can be termed as pre-cancerous polyps. But fortunately, most of the polyps are benign, where as some may be pre-cancerous. Still malignant polyps are very rare. In such inconclusive cases, careful follow up is necessary and if indicated then repeat biopsy after some time may be needed for reaching at a final diagnosis.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
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