Is colonic inflammatory polyp serious?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on January 22, 2025
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Inflammatory colon polyps are not very severe, and it is very rare for inflammatory polyps to become cancerous. However, if the inflammatory polyps are relatively large, it is necessary to undergo endoscopic treatment to remove them. After removal, pathological and tissue examinations are also needed to further confirm whether the polyps are indeed inflammatory and to rule out tumorous polyps, such as adenomatous polyps, among others. Additionally, about six months after the polyp removal surgery, a follow-up colonoscopy should be conducted to check for the recurrence of polyps. The primary causes of inflammatory colon polyps could be diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 24sec home-news-image

Can I drink yogurt with colitis?

Colitis is relatively common in clinical practice, especially in gastroenterology. The treatment generally involves two steps: first, medication treatment; second, dietary treatment. For patients with colitis, they can consume yogurt unless they have a clear allergy to yogurt or experience abdominal discomfort after consuming it. The main symptoms patients display are abdominal pain and abnormal stools, characterized by pain in the lower left abdomen or loose stools, and sometimes even fever. For these symptoms, we can choose to treat with certain medications. Antispasmodic analgesics can be added for abdominal pain, and medications to stop diarrhea or regulate the intestinal flora can be used for diarrhea. However, if there is a fever, oral anti-inflammatory drugs may be considered as needed. The diet should focus on light, liquid-based, and easy-to-digest foods, avoiding spicy foods. Of course, consuming yogurt is not a problem, so patients with colitis can eat yogurt, but not excessively, especially if they experience abdominal pain. It is suggested to reduce the amount of yogurt consumed. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Transverse colitis is located in the transverse colon.

If you are asking about the location of abdominal pain due to transverse colitis, let's first understand the anatomical position of the transverse colon. The ends of the transverse colon are located under the spleen and the liver. During a colonoscopy, when passing through the hepatic flexure or splenic flexure, cystic spots are often found, which are shadows of the liver and spleen. Generally, in patients who are short and stout, the internal abdominal fat tends to hold the free transverse colon relatively fixed, arranging it in a straight line like the Chinese character "一". For thin and frail patients, lacking support, the transverse colon can sag. In patients who have had abdominal surgery, the intestinal structure may be disordered. Therefore, the abdominal pain associated with transverse colitis generally centers around or below the umbilicus on either side.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 10sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of colitis?

Colitis is relatively common in clinical settings, especially in the gastroenterology outpatient department, and it generally occurs in middle-aged and elderly patients. The disease typically begins with abdominal pain, diarrhea, or abnormal stools. The abdominal pain is characterized by episodic pain in the lower left or right abdomen, without persistent episodes and generally does not occur after the patient falls asleep at night. The diet is usually not related. Diarrhea manifests as watery stools or stools with a soft texture, without bloody stools. Abnormal stools are characterized by constipation, for instance, if the patient has not had a bowel movement for several days, with dry, sheep-dung-like stools that are difficult to expel. Typically, after a thorough colonoscopy, no colon tumors or polyps are found, but signs of congested and edematous colonic mucosa suggest a diagnosis of colitis. Generally, the condition isn't severe, and treatment primarily involves symptomatic management.

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Written by Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
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Can colitis be detected by an ultrasound?

Colitis cannot be definitively diagnosed with an ultrasound, as ultrasound is primarily used for diagnosing solid organs such as the liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, and pancreas. For hollow organs, the diagnosis is obscured by gas and food inside the intestines, making ultrasound less effective. For patients suspected of having colitis, the best examination is a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy can clearly show the extent and severity of the inflammation. CT scans also hold diagnostic value as they can reveal thickening and edema of the colonic wall. CT scans are less painful compared to colonoscopies, which can be somewhat painful.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Can colitis turn into cancer?

Colitis is considered a benign lesion clinically and generally does not transform into cancer. Therefore, patients do not need to worry too much. The diagnosis of colitis mainly relies on colonoscopy. Most patients undergo colonoscopy due to abdominal discomfort or abnormal stools. The abdominal discomfort is primarily in the lower abdomen or lower left abdomen, presenting as pain and distension. Abnormal stools can clinically manifest as changes in the frequency of bowel movements, changes in stool texture to harder or thinner, and so on. Most patients do not exhibit alarming symptoms such as bloody stools, weight loss, or decreased appetite. Colonoscopy is frequently used clinically and can generally serve to differentiate between colitis and colon cancer. Most patients can tolerate a colonoscopy, so there is no need for patients to resist undergoing this examination.