HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Colonoscopy Results: Pseudopolyps

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/11/2011 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
I just had my colonoscopy this morning and 20% of my colon has some issues, mostly big pseudopolyps. I've never had experience with pseudopolyps so I'm not sure what to expect or if it's anything to be concerned about. My dr. briefly explained to me that they will more than likely be benign. He said they can be caused by "burnt out" colitis. Anyway, if you have any info on what these are I would greatly appreciate it.
Posted 11/11/2011 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, when I was dx'd in May 2009, I had a couple pseudo polyps myself. They were removed and also benign. This april, I had another colonoscopy, while flaring, that just showed active left sided colitis, and no polyps at all. As long as you continue to take your medication and avoid foods that may trigger flareups, you should be ok :)
Posted 11/11/2011 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
What meds are you on blacksteeda (again, I should remember, but don't).

Any inflammation?

Do the research about pseudopolyps....and prepare questions for when you see the doc regarding your biopsies. Get a copy of the pathology report for sure...for your records and research.
Best to know exactly than the doc saying..."all is OK".

q
Posted 11/11/2011 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
I'm currently on 6mp / remicade / colazal. I've had a polyp in the past a long time ago but these are labeled as "giant". I have the sheet with all the pics and I'm due to see my Dr. in 3 weeks. I have a great relationship with my doctor so I know he won't beat around the bush. Can these be removed like normal polyps?
Posted 11/11/2011 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sure he took a few for biopsies and you'll be monitored in a year probably.

I haven't done any research on the giant polyp...was it removed and biopsied?

Cool...pics! ;-)

I don't know if the pseudopolyps go up and down with inflammation. I've not heard of them happening after the inflammation has "burnt out" ...but maybe it's like mountains happen with the extreme cellular changes in the lining and they protrude outward. Just guessing...that's what question I'd have to research it.

I also don't know if pseudopolyps can happen with regular polyps. I don't know if the doc would want to remove them all...

Where exactly is the 20% that's affected?

q
Posted 11/12/2011 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
my colon has hundreds of pseudopolyps- I believe they are primarily scar tissue, left behind by healed ulcerations. The main problem with them is that they are hard to distinguish from a "normal" polyp, pre-cancerous tissue. So, while the GI can biopsy them, unless he plans to spend the entire day snipping tissue, it's impossible to biospy them all. So the detection of colon cancer is tougher with them. I don't believe they can be removed- if you have a few, maybe- but with many, no. I guess also, if you develop a pathc of dysplasia, it tends to lie low, the flat patches, between the pseudopolyps. So that also makes the dysplasis harder to see then in  a normal colon. If you have yearly scopes done, well hope for the best- that's my plan for the moment. Not a great one, but... it's all I've got! I'll be very interested to hear what your GI says, as I have the same problem. Please post after your visit with him!
Posted 11/12/2011 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
Pseudopolyps may shrink as you medicate the colon & eventually smooth out. The doctor just has to keep periodic watch to see how things are going in there. RE flat areas mentioned by Eva, I read a while back on gastroendonews that a new colon instrument called a "helix hydrojet" has been manufactured to help endoscopists deal with those sections. It enables the doctor to raise them for more accurate viewing, biopsy-taking, etc. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 11/12/2011 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
This is what my sheet says:

Summary:
Normal Colon
Normal cecum, ascending colon and transverse colon
Multiple cold forceps random biopsies taken. Collected for pathology
Transition zone-splenic flexure - pseudopolyposis. Multiple biopsies taken
Multiple biopsies taken from the splenic flexure
Innumeralbe large pseudopolyps found in the descending colon and sigmoid colon
Multiple biopsies taken for pathology
Normal rectosigmoid and rectum
Random biopsies taken


My fear in not knowing much about these is that they would keep growing and cause a blockage. I hope they can smooth out but will have to wait to talk with him before I freak myself out.
Posted 11/12/2011 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
no, don't freak out- I don't think they continue to grow, like a normal polyp. It's basically a scar, doesn't change much once it's there. It's mainly the cancer detection that makes them tricky. And the "innumerable"... that's a little sketchy, but.... I'd take that as "many"! Let us know what your GI says. Helix hydrojet, huh?? Neat! I ought to purchase one myself, to hand deliver to my GI for my next scope! tongue
Posted 11/12/2011 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Huge A+++ no inflammation!!

At least lots of biopsies were taken. Unfortunately, all you can do is wait for the results....but have a list of questions so that your worries can be eased at that time.

Maybe for you, yearly scopes are needed?

q
Posted 11/12/2011 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
my last scope was last April and there were no signs of these at all at that time...they grew pretty quick.
Posted 11/12/2011 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
OHHHH...didn't pay attention about the time span.

Did you have any inflammation in April?

q
Posted 11/12/2011 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
LOL, Eva. It's likely a very expensive gadget! Try not to worry, Blksteeda. If you can tolerate some fiber in your diet that should help keep waste moving along. I've never heard of obstruction being caused by pseudopolyps. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 11/13/2011 3:39 PM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
OHHHH...didn't pay attention about the time span.

Did you have any inflammation in April?

q

Oh yeah...that's when I was in the hospital with really bad bleeding and anemia. That was my first dose of remicade
Posted 11/13/2011 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Well, something's working! thankfully regarding UC...

When do you get the results?
q
Posted 11/14/2011 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
not sure about the results timeframe...I assume about a week and I see him on december 1st.
Posted 11/14/2011 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Looking forward to hearing the results.
SEems the normal time frame to get them.

q
Posted 11/15/2011 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
all my biopsies came back normal, now I just have to wait to see what my GI says about the large polyps.
Posted 11/15/2011 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
AWESOME news!!! that's a huge relief....looking forward to hearing how it goes with the GI on the 1st.

q
Posted 12/8/2011 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
I had met with my GI back on the 1st...as of now we're not going to do anything. It came down to a "quality of life" as I told him I feel completely fine with no symptoms at all even though my colon looks like hell at the moment. He said sometimes the pseudopolyps can recede a little bit but won't go away completely. He just had me do a full blood test with iron levels etc and also ordered a Prometheus test to see if my body is developing antibodies to Remicade. I'm to do that blood test as close to my next infusion as possible. I'm scheduled to see him in 3 months again.
Posted 12/8/2011 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
it looks like this is the test I'm going for:

PROMETHEUS® Serum Infliximab/ HACA Measurement is a test to detect human anti-chimeric antibodies (HACA) that may develop after receiving infliximab infusions. Patients who develop these antibodies at higher levels are at a greater risk of having complications from future infliximab infusions. Also, patients with higher antibody levels may have a shorter duration of benefit from the infliximab.
Posted 12/8/2011 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
just got some preliminary results from my blood tests yesterday...looks like my ferratin levels are low again. My saturation is 6 and was told it should be a minimum of 15. My hemoglobin is 11.4
Posted 12/8/2011 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
What does your GI think about it? You're not losing blood are you? I am happy the biopsies came back normal. Hopefully you get good results from the prometheus test.
Posted 12/8/2011 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't heard from him regarding the low iron yet. His lab nurse called me and is having me start iron supplements and he'll re check when I go back for my infusion on Jan 13th. I'll probably end up needing iron infusions again. I'm not losing any blood that I can see. At this point I feel symptom free to be honest.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply