questions about colon polyp

I am 37 years old. I had a colonoscopy 6 years ago that was clear and due to recent rectal bleeding I had a colonoscopy a few weeks ago. The finding was a 5mm sessile tubular adenoma polyp at 25 cm in the distal sigmoid colon. My questions are: 1.) did this grow in just 6 years to 5 mm 2). I am only 37,not overweight(thin) never smoked or drank and vegetarian to boot! but most importantly, 3.) it was sessile, that really scares me like it is more involved than having a stalk. The doctor said it was removed and that is about all I got out of him. I am really scared. My paternal grandmother died at age 62 of colon cancer. Is a sessile tubular adenoma worse than the stalk kind? I just am afraid that there is still more there or that it had a chance to grow deep in my colon. Obviously, I am not a doctor and felt you could explain this to me. How can it be tubular and sessile. Is it possible to remove it all during a colonoscopy? It wasn't a long procedure? Thank you so much. I am a mother of two age 7 and 10 months and I want to be ok. should I get a second opinon or trust it is all removed? thank you so much.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

To answer your questions:
1) Yes, it is possible that the polyp grew to that size within 6 years.

2) The description of the polyp isn't as important as the pathology.  The recommendations for a 5mm tubular adenoma is a repeat colonoscopy within 5 years or so.

However, without examining you nor seeing the colonoscopy, I cannot make specific recommendations.

If the treatment course continues to be unclear, another GI opinion, preferably at an academic medical center, should be sought.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin Pho, M.D.

KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd