lower GI conditions: neoplasms

what are intestinal polyps?

any tissue protrusion into the GI lumen

what is a sessile polyp?

raised protuberance with a broad base

what is a pedunculated polyp?

attached to a bowel wall by a stalk that is narrower than the body of the polyp

what are intestinal polyps a major precursor for?

major precursor lesion in the development of colon cancer

clinical manifestations of intestinal polyps

usually tone

may cause occult or gross bleeding

abdominal pain

treatment for intestinal polyps

varies according to size, type, and location

usually removed through scope

risk factors for colon cancer

increased after age 45 (rising in younger adults)

high-fat, low-fiber diet

polyps

chronic irritation or inflammation

• irritating scar tissue → can become dysplastic

hereditary patterns

guidelines for colon cancer screening via colonoscopy for average-risk individuals

every 10 years starting at age 45

guidelines for higher-risk individuals

may need to be more frequent

• important hereditary conditions: FAP (familial adenomatous polyposis), Lynch syndrome

• at least 3 close relatives with colorectal cancer, colorectal cancer involving at least 2 generations, and one or more cases of colorectal cancer occurring before age 50 years