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Is Having 0.5cm Polyp A Cause For Concern?
Question: I: 72 year-old woman. My colonoscopy yielded a referral for surgical evaluation and this report::
"A 0.5cm sessile polyp was found at 90cm from the anal verge, removed with excisional biopsy. Retroflexion revealed mild, internal hemorrhoids. There was a white plaque concerning for leukoplakia." I was referred for surgical evaluation.
1. Compared to others, how large is a 0.5cm polyp?
2. What surgery might be necessary, depending upon biopsy?
"A 0.5cm sessile polyp was found at 90cm from the anal verge, removed with excisional biopsy. Retroflexion revealed mild, internal hemorrhoids. There was a white plaque concerning for leukoplakia." I was referred for surgical evaluation.
1. Compared to others, how large is a 0.5cm polyp?
2. What surgery might be necessary, depending upon biopsy?
Brief Answer:
this is a small polyp
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
This colonoscopy report by itself, is not very concerning. of course, we need to look at the biopsy to see if it is benign , or premalignant (dysplastic), grade of premalignancy or rarely, XXXXXXX malignant.
The size of 0.5 cm is considered small. If size >1 cm, chance of progression to cancer later is bit higher.
Unless the biopsy shows XXXXXXX malignancy, no further surgery required. Only surveillance periodically, interval depending on if it is premalignant and what is the grade. If it shows malignancy, then surgery to remove part of colon may be required. But I don't think that will be the case in you.
Hope this helps.
regards
this is a small polyp
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
This colonoscopy report by itself, is not very concerning. of course, we need to look at the biopsy to see if it is benign , or premalignant (dysplastic), grade of premalignancy or rarely, XXXXXXX malignant.
The size of 0.5 cm is considered small. If size >1 cm, chance of progression to cancer later is bit higher.
Unless the biopsy shows XXXXXXX malignancy, no further surgery required. Only surveillance periodically, interval depending on if it is premalignant and what is the grade. If it shows malignancy, then surgery to remove part of colon may be required. But I don't think that will be the case in you.
Hope this helps.
regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Doctor, your reassurance does not seem supported. The surgeon found not just a polyp, but cells which might indicate Leukoplakia. I read that anal Leukoplakia is associated with higher rates of colon cancer.
Brief Answer:
anal leucoplakia is mostly benign
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for follow-up.
Leucoplakia is just a white patch and in anal canal it is mostly benign. There can be dysplastic cells in that but progression to anal cancer is rare. Have the surgeon biopsied that also? Because if biopsy shows no or mild dysplasia then risk of progression to cancer is negligible.
You can go through the following link which specifically addresses your concern
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/0000_Leukoplakia_of_the_anal_canal
However, it needs to be followed up, usually by regular anal examination in the surgeon's office.
anal leucoplakia is mostly benign
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for follow-up.
Leucoplakia is just a white patch and in anal canal it is mostly benign. There can be dysplastic cells in that but progression to anal cancer is rare. Have the surgeon biopsied that also? Because if biopsy shows no or mild dysplasia then risk of progression to cancer is negligible.
You can go through the following link which specifically addresses your concern
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/0000_Leukoplakia_of_the_anal_canal
However, it needs to be followed up, usually by regular anal examination in the surgeon's office.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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