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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Some polyps may become cancerous (malignant), meaning you could develop colon cancer. The earlier polyps are removed, the less likely it is that they will become malignant.

References
  1. Ahnen DJ, et al. Approach to the patient with colonic polyps. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 15, 2009.
  2. Ahnen DJ, et al. Epidemiology and risk factors for colorectal cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 15, 2009.
  3. What I need to know about colon polyps. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colonpolyps_ez/. Accessed June 14, 2009.
  4. Torpy JM, et al. Colon polyps. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008;300:1480.
  5. Fletcher RH. Screening for colorectal cancer: Strategies in patients at average risk. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 14, 2009.
  6. Levin B, et al. Screening and surveillance for the early detection of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps, 2008: A joint guideline from the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American College of Radiology. CA, A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2008;58:130.
  7. Colorectal cancer screening. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/colorectal-screening. Accessed June 15, 2009.
  8. How is colorectal cancer found? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_1x.asp?rnav=criov&dt=10. Accessed June 15, 2009.
  9. Seitz U, et al. Endoscopic removal of large colonic polyps. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 15, 2009.
  10. How is colorectal cancer treated? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_4X_How_Is_Colorectal_Cancer_Treated.asp?sitearea=. Accessed June 15, 2009.
  11. Can colorectal cancer be prevented? American Cancer Society. Accessed June 15, 2009.
  12. Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. June 19, 2009.
  13. MYH-associated polyposis. Cancer Net, American Society of Clinical Oncology. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Types/MYH-Associated+Polyposis. Accessed June 19, 2009.

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July 24, 2009

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