Differentiation between Colon Polyps and Colon Cancer

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on September 25, 2024
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The most distinct diagnostic criteria between colon polyps and colon cancer are that colon polyps are benign lesions, whereas colon cancer is a malignant tumor of the intestines. Colon polyps are generally small in size or present as multiple polyps, with localized mucosal elevation. They may appear the size of mung beans or be pedunculated, and may be accompanied by mild abdominal pain, generally without blood in the stool. In contrast, during the onset of colon cancer, there is usually abdominal pain accompanied by bloody stools. In the later or advanced stages of colon cancer, after the tumor ruptures, it may also lead to severe gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as overall bodily wasting and anemia. The prognosis for colon polyps is relatively good; regular follow-up checks are sufficient. However, for colon cancer, if detected early, surgical removal can be an option. The survival rate in the middle and late stages is lower than in the early stage, and treatment may require a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

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Can late-stage colon cancer be completely removed by surgery?

In clinical practice, for patients with mid-to-late-stage colon cancer, even after curative surgical resection, it is often difficult to completely remove the tumor. This is because by the mid-to-late stages, the colon cancer has typically started to invade surrounding tissues. Despite curative surgery, patients may still have subclinical lesions, which are typically hard to detect either under a microscope or with the naked eye. The presence of these subclinical lesions leads to a higher likelihood of recurrence and metastasis after curative surgery in mid-to-late-stage colon cancer patients. Therefore, to reduce the rates of recurrence and metastasis, it is common clinical practice to administer adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy after the curative surgical resection for patients with mid-to-late-stage colon cancer, aiming to decrease the risk of cancer recurrence and metastasis.

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Can advanced colorectal cancer be cured?

Complete cure is often difficult to achieve in the middle and late stages of colorectal cancer. Of course, it is possible to control the progression of the lesion and then prolong survival. For middle and late-stage colorectal cancer, if the treatment is reasonable or effective, it is possible to survive for more than three years, five years, or even longer. Clinically, surviving more than five years without recurrence is considered a clinical cure. Of course, there is still a possibility of recurrence after five years, but the probability of recurrence will be much lower. If one can survive more than ten years, or even 20 years without recurrence, it is basically considered a cure, but regular check-ups are still necessary afterward, as it cannot be guaranteed that there will be no recurrence. For the middle and late stages of colorectal cancer, surgical treatment should be pursued whenever possible, followed by a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy after surgery.

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Difference between colon polyps and colon cancer

Colon polyps and colon cancer both belong to organic tumors of the colon mucosa, but the fundamental difference is that colon polyps are mostly benign, while colon cancer is a malignant cancer of the intestines. Both colon cancer and colon polyps require examination by electronic colonoscopy for a definitive diagnosis, and further pathological examination is needed. After the detection of colon polyps, it is necessary to promptly perform radiofrequency ablation surgery under electronic colonoscopy. After the detection of colon cancer, it is necessary to complete relevant pelvic and systemic examinations, and after clarifying the local lesions, surgical removal is performed. Postoperatively, based on the size of the cancerous mass and the extent of the lesion, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be required.

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What are the symptoms of transverse colon cancer?

Transverse colon cancer is a type of colon cancer, belonging to malignant tumors of the digestive system. The main symptoms may include rectal bleeding, narrower stools, increased frequency of defecation, diarrhea, and it may also cause constipation. For instance, if the tumor in the transverse colon is large enough to block the intestinal lumen, it could lead to difficulty in defecating. Constipation or even signs of intestinal obstruction could occur. Generally, a diagnosis can be confirmed through an endoscopic biopsy. After diagnosis, transverse colon cancer can be treated surgically, primarily through curative surgery, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and other comprehensive treatments.

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Is upper gastrointestinal bleeding colon cancer?

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding cannot be caused by colon cancer, as the colon is part of the lower gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, upper gastrointestinal bleeding cannot result from colon cancer. There are several diseases that can cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding: The first common cause is peptic ulcer, including both gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers, which can lead to bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The second cause is bleeding due to esophageal or gastric varices rupture associated with liver cirrhosis. This type of bleeding can be substantial and sometimes life-threatening. The third cause is acute gastric mucosal injury, such as that caused by heavy alcohol consumption or the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The fourth cause is gastric cancer, which can lead to upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. While colon cancer can cause rectal bleeding, it is not a cause of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding.