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Piecemeal removal of polyp
A few months ago I had a colonoscopy and a polyp >2cm was removed during it by piecemeal method. Pathology showed it was a high-grade dysplasia polyp. GI wants to repeat colonoscopy in 6 mos. Has anyone had this and cancer was found on follow up screening? I wish he would have left it and referred me to a surgeon to remove a suspicious polyp of that size properly, in one piece, with margins. Would that have been overkill? My fear is that high grade cells were left to grow.
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@pattyclaire, I understand your concern and nervousness about potential cancer. Here is some reading that you might find helpful.
- What are colorectal polyps? https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/about-colorectal-cancer/prevention/colon-polyps/
This plain language article talks about everything polyps.
Larger polyps (> 2cm) are usually removed using endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Here's more information about this:
- Can large colon polyps be removed without surgery? https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/gastrointestinal-articles/removing-large-colon-polyps-without-surgery
In both these articles, follow-up in situations like yours are recommended generally in 6 months - as you will be having. Polyps grow slowly. Will you return to the same surgeon for the next colonoscopy? Can you ask about EMR?
Thank you so much for that Colleen! It validates what I suspected that I should’ve had it removed by EMR. I am going to send him a msg and tell him that if he finds another larger polyp I prefer I have an EMR and ask if he is comfortable with that. I’ll know by his response whether I should follow up with him or get a different GI. The article also said that the specialist also removed several smaller polyps that weren’t seen during the colonoscopy for one gentleman. Makes me wonder if I have more. Thank you for the article and the support!