Polyps

[Carsok]

Short history: Mother passed from colon cancer, her sisters from rectal cancer and pancreatitis and also her brother from the same. I had a colonoscopy done two years ago and they found 7 polyps around 6 of them and one was precancerous. I went to get another one last mother and they found 7 polyps and one was 10 mm and one was 12 mm and all the others were around 5 or 6. I asked the doctor why there would be such large polyps in two years and really didn't get an answer. So I'm trying to do research on my own. When my mother was diagnosed she was 78 and died two months after diagnosis. I'm 74 and have quite a few problems with my stomach, esophagus, diverticula (have had diverticulitis 3 times in last 4 years). Apparently my colon is full of diverticula. Find it's so hard to find a doctor who will listen to you and just blow you off. I had a great doctor who moved to another practice about an hour and a half away and thinking of going back to him. Anyone else have large polyps?

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Carsok,

Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected. I'm sorry that you are having to deal with these things. I would definitely try to get back to the doctor you know and trust. Maybe that doctor can recommend another good doctor closer to you?

I hate to hear your family has such a cancer history. Mine does as well. Many have passed away as well. We are aware and do a lot of surveillance measures to hopefully catch things early. I have Lynch Syndrome which requires me to get annual colonoscopies, bloodwork and annual CT scans.

I was wondering if you have had your biomarkers checked to determine if your cancers are a hereditary thing? If not, I would definitely recommend doing that. I would think with your colonoscopy results history, you would be on some kind of regular surveillance which would include the colonoscopy? You know you have the diverticula in the colon but also they are finding what I would call significant polyps during your colonoscopies. From what I see, the larger polyps (>=10mm) have a greater possibility of becoming cancerous. I do not know what would be causing larger polyps and hate to hear you were not given a good explanation as to why or how common that would be.

We do wish you the best in finding further answers and getting a good doctor near you. Maybe someone else who has had experience with larger polyps will contribute to the conversation.

Thank You,

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[Carsok in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

I appreciate your comment. My GI doc basically blew me off when I asked about size of polyps and how fast they grew in two years. I've decided to go back to my original GI doctor who I really liked but left the area. I'm willing to drive an hour to see him and have an appt. with him next month. He always took the time to listen and give me answers. I've worked for doctors and was a medical residency coordinator so I know there are some good and bad doctors. Will be worth the hour drive to see someone I'm comfortable with. Again, thank you.

[provenceshale in reply to Carsok]

may I ask what were all your symptoms? you mentioned large polyps, diverticulitis and other issues. What were the bowel movement symptoms and also stomach symptoms?? pain, cramps, etc

[Carsok]

I have had digestive issues for the last 10 years. I go from being constipated to diarrhea also discomfort which gets worse with eating. Constant bloating after eating and feeling full after a small meal. I have had diverticulitis about 4 or 5 times and my surgeon said if I had it again they would remove a part of the colon but the problem is my whole colon is full of diverticula. My gastro doc believes my stomach is because of sensitive nerves in my digestive system that causes stomach problems. We've done all kinds of test but can't find a reason. They now found a tumor on my adrenal gland. All types of digestive cancers run in our family so I get a colonoscopy every 2 years. My cousin (she was 79) came to visit over Christmas and the Thursday before I called 911 for her since she was in such pain. They operated on Christmas Eve and had colon cancer and couldn't get it all out and she passed on the 16th of Jan. I do put a large part of the blame on her as she never got a colonoscopy or any type of scopes. I'm not sure why but she really never went to the doctor and I would fuss at her all the time to go. I believe if she had gotten a colonoscopy she was still be with us. So get your colonoscopies...they save lives.