Colon polyps are usually benign growths, but certain types can gradually develop into colorectal cancer. This makes their early detection and removal an important part of colorectal cancer prevention.
Oncologist Ivan Karasev has emphasized the connection between colon polyps and the development of malignant tumors. According to him, polyps should not automatically be considered cancer, but their presence may indicate a condition requiring medical monitoring.
Some colorectal cancers develop through what is known as the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, in which particular precancerous polyps accumulate cellular changes over a period of years and eventually become malignant. Removing these polyps during colonoscopy can therefore reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Polyps may occur in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract, including the colon and stomach. Because they frequently cause no noticeable symptoms, screening and preventive examinations can play an important role in detecting them.
However, claims that a specific percentage—such as 95% of all colorectal cancers—directly develops from polyps should be interpreted cautiously. The relationship depends on the type of colorectal cancer and the biological pathway involved, and not every polyp will become malignant.
People with inflammatory bowel diseases, particularly Crohn’s disease affecting the colon and ulcerative colitis, may also have an increased risk of colorectal cancer and can require individualized surveillance.
Preventive measures generally include following appropriate colorectal cancer screening recommendations, maintaining a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, and discussing personal risk factors with a healthcare professional.
If polyps have previously been detected or removed, follow-up colonoscopy may be recommended depending on their number, size and pathological type. A physician can determine the appropriate surveillance interval based on these findings.
