In the realm of colorectal disorders, few are as uncomfortable and persistent as familial polyposis. Let’s take a look at our most commonly asked question here at the Colorectal Clinic of Tampa Bay: what is familial polyposis? If you suspect that you might be suffering from this condition, don’t hesitate to reach out to our colorectal experts.
What Is Familial Polyposis?
Also known as familial adenomatous polyposis or FAP, familial polyposis is a hereditary disease characterized by the excessive growth of colorectal polyps. While polyps aren’t inherently dangerous, the polyps associated with familial polyposis can turn into cancerous masses.
How Does it Differ From Colon Cancer?
FAP Polyps are not colon cancer, but they can quickly become colon cancer, especially when there are hundreds of polyps in the colon. For this reason, it’s essential to know whether or not you have familial polyposis. Most familial polyposis patients are aware that they have this disease by the time they are in their late teens.
What Are The Symptoms?
Most familial polyposis symptoms overlap with the symptoms of general colorectal polyps, but familial polyposis patients have hundreds of polyps一 rather than just a few. People with familial polyposis will usually experience these symptoms to a greater extent than patients with a smaller number of polyps.
Common Familial Adenomatous Polyposis symptoms include:
Bleeding in the bowels
Pain during bowel movements or obstructed bowel movements
Red-streaked or black stools
Anemia due to blood loss
Most patients will start to notice symptoms early on in life一 as early as the teenage years. It will be evident that you have familial polyposis because you will have a massive number of polyps in your rectum.
What Causes Familial Polyposis?
This one is in the name: Familial Polyposis is a hereditary disease, meaning that you are born with this condition. While most patients with familial polyposis have family members that also suffer from the disease, this mutation can also spontaneously occur at conception. If you have this disease, you may be wondering: is there a cure for familial adenomatous polyposis?
How Is Familial Polyposis Treated?
There is no cure for FAP; unfortunately, this disease is caused by a genetic mutation that is present from conception to the end of a patient’s life. Familial polyposis must be monitored, and polyps must be removed so that they don’t become obstructive or cancerous.
Getting A Diagnosis In Tampa Bay
Have you been struggling with bowel problems since you were a pre-teen? If so, it’s time to figure out what’s going on一 especially if you have a family history of familial polyposis or another type of condition that causes multiple polyps to grow in your bowel. Here at the Colorectal Clinic of Tampa Bay, we can help you get a diagnosis!