Colonoscopy question. My husbands mother, died years ago of colon cancer.?

Question

My husband has had a colonoscopy and one polyop was found and removed. It is a high risk one. He had another colonoscopy done today, and they took samples from the area around the one that was removed. They did a full scope and didn't find more. Is there anyone out there who has a relative that has died from this and is going through the same thing. Do you any of you have high risk polyops and if so what are you doing, in the way of tests, diet and anything else that could be helpful to us. I know this is preventitive testing so far, and were seeing the doctor again for test results and more info, but can the genetic part of it, be more serious. Will removing the polyops be enough. My husband has to have a colonoscopy every six months just to be on the safe side for now. I want to thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Try not to worry too much. By having regular colonoscopies you are on top of things. Iff a polyp becomes cancerous, the Drs' can remove a section of bowel to fix it. My hubby died from colorectal cancer at age 48. He also had a family history, but was never checked. His brother, now aged 65 has regular checks, and polyps removed and he is fine. You are doing all the right things as a preventative measure, Good health to both of you.

Answer 2

No answers as to the why and how, but can share your concern as my husband too had a colonoscopy some two and a half years ago. They found 2 huge polyops and took them out. Doctor said they were pre cancerous and it was fortunate to have got them out as the doc was fairly certain that they would have given him major problems the next year. Had a check one year later.... all was okay. They gave him some 'loverly' colourful shots of the polyops. Yes his family has a history and that is why I bugged him into getting a check, now healthy, fairly wealthy and much much wiser!

Answer 3

I am afraid I’m going to have more questions than answers for you, but something isn’t right here. What do you mean by a “high risk” polyp?

If your husband had a colonoscopy today and the doctor was able to see the area of the polypectomy that tells me it was done within the last few months. If the doctor took biopsies of the area, that leads me to believe there was cancer in the polyp and it had a positive margin. Colon cancers are usually slow growing and even when patients have cancerous polyps removed colonoscopies are not recommended every 6 months.

You also stated, “they did a full scope”, does this mean he had a sigmoidoscopy the first time? If so, did the doctor explain why he or she did not do a colonoscopy?

If you are not able to answer these questions and either have an explanation to disprove my suspicions or if my suspicions are correct, but already explained to you satisfactorily I would consider getting all of your husbands records and getting a second opinion.

Having periodic colonoscopies is the single most important thing people can do to protect themselves against colon cancer. If an invasive cancer is contained in any polyp removed the 5-year survival rate is 95%. If it is a noninvasive cancer that is contained in the polyp the 5-year survival rate is 100%. However, leaving a single cancer cell behind changes this. Best wishes to you and your husband.