Colonoscopy results

[Lettucebean]

I’m due to have a colonoscopy soon. I’ve found the threads on here about preparation and the procedure very helpful.

I have a probably foolish question about the results. I understand a lot of people have some polyps and they remove them there and then. My question is, do they generally send them off to histology to check if cancerous? And if they are cancerous but have been snipped out, is that an actual cancer diagnosis requiring more surgery, chemo etc? Or not really because they’ve been removed?

I’m just trying to understand what the results might mean especially as I will be coming out of sedation when they are talking to me.

Just bumping!!

Anything removed will be sent for histology routinely. That result will not be back on the same day.

If a cancer is found (which is the least likely outcome) yes that would mean more tests and a whole new treatment plan.

Yes, they will be sent to histology. The doctor who performed mine waited about an hour before speaking to me. I would strongly recommend having someone with you if possible, an extra pair of ears who can go over what was said to you later. Ask them to take notes.
Good luck - hope all goes well for you.

Thanks that’s really helpful. I couldn’t make sense of what actually happens to the polyps in terms of tests etc so that’s clearer. I’m not actually expecting them to find anything untoward but want to understand as much as I can as I realise I won’t be too clear headed on the day. I think I got confused reading about polyps/ lesion/ tumour and what the actual difference between them is!

Not a foolish question at all.
They send them to histology, but an experienced practitioner can tell visually. They won't tell you right away just in case, but they'll probably know what they're dealing with.

A lesion is any damage to an organ or a tissue - a cut is a lesion.
A tumour is an abnormal growth in the body. A polyp is a tumour on a mucous membrane.

As far as I know, unless there are other symptoms, even if the polyp is cancerous, it would be rare to need further testing. The screening regimen will be shorter, though. Will depend on your age and your risk factors.

Why are you having the colonoscopy, OP? Was a positive FIT test?

If it's particularly large polyp this may need to be removed on another occasion. Depends on who is doing the procedure

Thanks so much! That’s amazingly informative. So a polyp is just a tumour but in a specific location and can be cancerous or not. That’s helpful because I was confused by the different wordings used. I haven’t had the FIT test done.

Ive had a couple removed, both sent to histology. They are graded for the likely hood of turning cancerous. One polyp was fine, but the second one was graded as having a 'high' chance of turning cancerous. They didn't get a large clear margin when they removed it so I was monitored for the following 3 years, fortunately nothing grew back there and I was discharged
Polyps are normally harmless but they can turn cancerous so they like to remove them just in case

I had a couple removed last year, they turned out to be pre-cancerous so I then had a follow-up sigmoidoscopy to check that everything had been removed properly, which it had. I have a strong family history of bowel cancer so will be checked each year from now on I think.

Thanks that's really helpful information. I'm also trying to bear in mind that there may well be no polyps at all, which would be great. On the other hand, if they do find some I just want to be clear in my mind about what that is likely to mean and the plan from there.

I have no experience with better results but when my late OH's colonoscopy showed cancer he was told on the day rather than sitting around waiting for results.

I was in the waiting room and saw several people who went in after him leave before us without being taken off into the office so we sort of knew it was coming before they told us.

I have just had a positive fit test and waiting on a colonoscopy and freaking out

I had a colonoscopy. Polyp found was sent away but endoscopy person said they thought it was benign would be sent away.

I feel for you. My DM is in exactly the same position and I'm freaking out on her behalf.

Did they give her a number I was 20 but my doc doesn’t have a good bedside manner fs

I don't know which is frustrating. I wasn't with her and she has just said the GP said a small amount of blood was found. From what I've read, the number can be up in the hundreds. It is a worry but I'm trying not to borrow trouble and the stats show that the majority of patients won't have anything seriously wrong.

Please try not to worry. I had my first colonoscopy in February after a positive fit test. I’m really squeamish and not very brave! I was also scared as I’d been putting it off for a while.

The prep isn’t pleasant but I got through it with Netflix and my ipad!

I chose sedation at the hospital because I was so scared. I cried on the receptionist, I cried on the pre-op nurse and I cried when I walked in for the procedure. They were all - every single one of them - the kindest human beings you could ever wish to meet. So gentle and caring. Outstanding care.

The procedure was ok with sedation.

I had 2 polyps removed. One was 3mm and they told me there and then it was benign, the other one was 20mm and was sent off for tests. They rang me 10 days later saying it’s not cancerous but as I have precancerous cells they will see me again in 3 years.

Obviously I’m not looking forward to that however it’s not as scary as having cancer and I’m grateful that the NHS will keep an eye on me.

I wish you well xx