Death of a Polyp |
| Colon cancer is a common and deadly disease, but there is one good thing about colon cancer: IT IS LARGELY PREVENTABLE. This is because studies have shown that most colon cancer does NOT begin as cancer. Rather, it begins as a small benign (non-cancerous) polyp like the one pictured here. |
| It may take as long as 10 years for a small benign polyp to develop into a full-blown cancer. The good news is that if the polyp is found and removed in time, colon cancer can actually be prevented. These photos show how a colon polyp is removed during a colonoscopy exam. |
| When caught early, small colon or rectal polyps can be removed without the need for major surgery. Here you can see a thin wire snare which has been passed down the open channel of a colonoscope. It is about to lasso the polyp. The doctor performs this procedure while directly viewing the polyp on a large color TV monitor. |
| AS the doctor closes the wire snare around the base of the polyps, a computer-controlled electrical current cauterized the small blood vessels to prevent bleeding. The patient does not feel any electric shock. In fact, the actual polyp removal is totally painless. |
| In this photo, the snare has been closed cutting off the polyp at its base. You can see this has been accomplished without any bleeding. |
| The polyp is retrieved when possible and sent to the laboratory for a biopsy. The site of the polyp removal turns white from the cautery and heals completely within a few days. The patient returns home to rest for a day and may return to work the following morning. For more examples of colon polyps, click HERE. |
