Have you ever been to a doctor, perhaps for an endoscopy (a procedure where a camera is inserted into the lining of your stomach) for a stomach problem, and the doctor said something like this? "There's a small growth inside your colon/stomach. We're going to remove it." It's normal to feel a little scared when you hear something like this. But don't be afraid. These small growths are what we medically call ``Polyps.'' The simple procedure to remove them is called ``Polypectomy.'' So today, we're going to talk about everything in a very simple way.
What is a 'polyp'? Why do they need to be removed?
Simply put, a polyp is a small, unwanted growth of tissue that forms on the inner wall of an organ in our body, especially an organ with a cavity inside (for example, the colon, uterus, stomach). Think of it like a wart growing inside the body.
There are several types of these `Polyps`:
- Benign: These are normal tumors. They do not cause any harm.
- Cancerous: Sometimes these tumors can turn into cancer cells.
- Precancerous: These are tumors that are not currently cancerous, but have a high chance of becoming cancerous in the future.
The problem is, it's hard for a doctor to tell 100% for sure what type of polyp it is just by looking at it from the outside. The best way to know for sure is to remove it and send it to a lab for testing (a ``(Biopsy)`').
Doctors often advise that it is safest to remove a polyp as soon as you see it, rather than waiting for it to become a problem later.
| Main reasons to remove a polyp | |
|---|---|
| Reason | Description |
| Occurrence of symptoms | For example, things like stomach pain, bleeding, and changes in bowel habits. |
| Cancer risk | If the polyp looks like cancer or is suspected to be a type that could be cancerous. |
| Definitive diagnosis | To test it in the laboratory to find out exactly what type of tumor it is. |
Is a polypectomy a major operation? Does it hurt?
Absolutely not! Don't be scared to hear this. `Polypectomy` is often a very simple, minor surgery. In medicine, we call this `(Minimally invasive procedure)`. That means, it is something that is done in a small way, without making a large incision.
Many polyps are removed during a test called a colonoscopy (a camera-guided examination of the colon) or an endoscopy (a camera-guided examination of the stomach). As the doctor inserts a camera tube, he or she passes small instruments through the tube and removes the polyp. You won't even feel it.
However, sometimes, if the polyp is not easily accessible, or if it is quite large, the doctor may have to perform a laparoscopy, which involves making a small keyhole incision in the abdomen. This is also very common now.
As for pain, you won't feel any pain. This is because you will be given an anesthetic before the procedure. Sometimes, you will be put to sleep (`(General Anesthesia)`). Or, you will be given a drug that will put you into a light sleep (`(Sedation)`). So, although you will feel a little pressure, you will not feel any pain at all.
What happens before and during the surgery?
Preparation before surgery
In most cases, no special preparation is needed. However, if you are having a ``Colonoscopy`` along with a ``Polypectomy``, your bowel needs to be completely clean. For this, you will need to drink a special liquid medicine (``(bowel prep formula)``) that your doctor will give you. Along with this, you will be advised to control your diet for a few days. Also, if you are taking any other medications, it is important to talk to your doctor about whether you need to stop them on the day of the surgery.
During the surgery...
This is a very simple process.
1. Anesthesia: First, you will be given a sedative through an IV (intravenous drip) into a vein in your arm. After a while, you will feel relaxed or fall asleep.
2. Inserting the endoscope: The doctor then inserts a long, flexible tube (endoscope) with a camera attached through a natural opening in your body (e.g., through the anus for a polyp in the colon, or through the mouth for a polyp in the stomach).
3. Removing the Polyp: The images from the camera are viewed on a monitor to locate the polyp. Then, the polyp is grasped and removed using a small instrument, such as forceps or a wire snare, that is passed through the tube.
4. Stopping the bleeding: To stop any bleeding from the area where the polyp was removed and to completely remove any remaining tissue, the area is slightly cauterized with an electric current device (electrocautery device). This is called cauterization.
What happens after the surgery? Are there any risks?
You will be able to go home shortly after the surgery. However, you may feel a little dizzy from the effects of the anesthesia, so it is best to have someone with you. You may feel a little uncomfortable and bloated for a few days. This is normal.
The removed polyp is sent to a laboratory. It takes about a week or two to get the report. Most of the time, these are reported as non-cancerous (benign). If cancer cells are found, your doctor will advise you on further tests and treatment.
Polypectomy is a very safe procedure. However, as with any medical procedure, there are some minor risks that can occur very rarely.
- Bleeding.
- Occurrence of an infectious condition.
- A hole or tear in the wall of an organ. (`(Perforation)`)
- A minor burn to tissue caused by an `electrocautery` device.
These things happen very rarely. There is also another very rare complication called `Postpolypectomy coagulation syndrome (PPCS). This is a small inflammation of the tissue under the `Polyp` where it was burned. This is not serious, and it will heal in a few days with medication. However, if you experience anything after the surgery, such as unbearable stomach pain, fever, or heavy bleeding , you should talk to your doctor immediately.
It will only take a few days to recover. You will be able to return to normal activities in a day or two.
Take-Home Message
- Polypectomy is a simple, safe surgery to remove small growths (polyps) that develop inside the body.
- These are often not cancerous, but to know for sure whether they are cancerous or not, they need to be removed and examined.
- The surgery is usually not painful. You will not feel any discomfort because you will be given anesthesia.
- If you experience any unusual symptoms (severe abdominal pain, fever, heavy bleeding) after surgery, notify your doctor immediately.
- Don't be afraid to do this as it is an important step to prevent a serious illness in the future. Discuss any concerns with your doctor.
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