{"id":991473,"date":"2026-07-27T15:47:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T20:47:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cegas.com.pa\/colon-polyps-why-they-are-removed-and-how-often-to-have-a-follow-up-colonoscopy\/"},"modified":"2026-07-27T15:47:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T20:47:36","slug":"colon-polyps-why-they-are-removed-and-how-often-to-have-a-follow-up-colonoscopy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cegas.com.pa\/en\/colon-polyps-why-they-are-removed-and-how-often-to-have-a-follow-up-colonoscopy\/","title":{"rendered":"Colon Polyps: Why They Are Removed and How Often to Have a Follow-Up Colonoscopy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;ve had a colonoscopy and the report mentions the word &#8220;polyp,&#8221; it&#8217;s normal to be concerned. Here&#8217;s what you should know first: <strong>finding a polyp and removing it is exactly the result you want<\/strong>. It means the exam worked.  <\/p>\n<p>Here we explain what they are, why they are always removed, and how often the test will need to be repeated.<\/p>\n<h2>What is a colon polyp?<\/h2>\n<p>A polyp is a growth of tissue on the inner wall of the large intestine. Most are only a few millimeters in size and do not cause any symptoms: they do not hurt, they do not bleed, and they go unnoticed. That is why they are only discovered during a medical examination.  <\/p>\n<p>They are common. A significant proportion of people over the age of 50 have at least one, and in the vast majority of cases, they are benign. <\/p>\n<h2>Types of Polyps and Why the Difference Matters<\/h2>\n<p>Not everyone behaves the same way, and the type determines how they are tracked:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adenomas.<\/strong>  These are the ones that have the potential to develop into cancer over time. Most never do, but they are the ones that require closer monitoring. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Serrated polyps.<\/strong>  These can also be malignant, and are harder to detect during an examination because they are flat.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hyperplastic polyps.<\/strong>  They are the most common and, in general, do not pose a risk of becoming malignant when they are small and located in the rectum or distal colon.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inflammatory polyps.<\/strong>  Associated with inflammatory bowel diseases. They do not develop into cancer. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The final classification is not determined at a glance, but rather in the laboratory, after analyzing the extracted tissue.<\/p>\n<h2>Why are they all being removed?<\/h2>\n<p>During a colonoscopy, it is not possible to determine with certainty what type of polyp it is just by looking at it. That is why the standard procedure is to remove it and send it for analysis. <\/p>\n<p>The procedure is called <strong>a polypectomy<\/strong> and is performed during the same visit, without any external incisions and without pain, since the patient is sedated. Small polyps are removed with forceps or a loop; larger ones may require a slightly more complex technique. <\/p>\n<p>Removing an adenoma interrupts the process that, over the course of several years, could lead to <a href=\"https:\/\/cegas.com.pa\/en\/colon-cancer-at-what-age-should-you-have-your-first-colonoscopy\/\">colon cancer<\/a>. That is why a colonoscopy is considered a preventive test and not just a diagnostic one. <\/p>\n<h2>How often should a colonoscopy be repeated?<\/h2>\n<p>It depends on what was found. Generally speaking: <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>No polyps<\/strong> and no risk factors: the standard interval is about 10 years.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A few small adenomas<\/strong>: Follow-up is usually shortened to a range of 5 to 10 years.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Multiple adenomas, large adenomas, or adenomas with advanced features<\/strong> on analysis: the interval is significantly shortened, often to 3 years or less.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inadequate<a href=\"https:\/\/cegas.com.pa\/en\/colonoscopy-preparation-step-by-step-guide-and-practical-tips\/\">bowel preparation<\/a><\/strong>: It may be necessary to repeat the exam much sooner, because residual stool prevents a clear view of the mucosa.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These ranges are for guidance only. The exact range is determined by your gastroenterologist after reviewing the pathology report along with your personal and family medical history. <\/p>\n<h2>What to Do When You Receive the Results<\/h2>\n<p>The pathology report usually takes a few days. Once you have it, schedule your follow-up appointment even if the result is benign: the truly useful information isn&#8217;t just the diagnosis, but <strong>the date of your next test<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<p>Write it down. It&#8217;s the piece of information that&#8217;s most often lost\u2014and the one that offers the most protection in the long run. <\/p>\n<h2>Tracking at CEGAS<\/h2>\n<p>At CEGAS, we perform <a href=\"https:\/\/cegas.com.pa\/en\/studies-and-procedures\/complete-colonoscopy\/\">a complete colonoscopy with polypectomy<\/a> as part of the same procedure, using high-definition equipment that makes it easier to detect flat and small lesions.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;ve had polyps removed and aren&#8217;t sure when to have the test repeated, <a href=\"https:\/\/cegas.com.pa\/en\/contact-us\/\">write to us<\/a> and we&#8217;ll review it with your report in hand.<\/p>\n<h2>Related Reading<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cegas.com.pa\/en\/colon-cancer-at-what-age-should-you-have-your-first-colonoscopy\/\">Colon Cancer: At What Age Should You Have Your First Colonoscopy?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cegas.com.pa\/en\/blood-in-the-stool-causes-what-the-color-means-and-when-to-be-concerned\/\">Blood in the Stool: Causes and When to Be Concerned<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cegas.com.pa\/en\/endoscopy-vs-colonoscopy-whats-the-difference-and-which-do-you-need\/\">Endoscopy vs. Colonoscopy: How They Differ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Follow-up intervals should be determined on an individual basis with your specialist. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What are colon polyps, why are they always removed during a colonoscopy, and how often is the procedure repeated depending on the findings?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":991430,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Colon Polyps: Why They Are Removed and When to Get Follow-Up Tests | CEGAS","rank_math_description":"What are colon polyps, why are they removed during the same colonoscopy, and how often should the procedure be repeated based on the results? Polypectomy in Panama. 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