Colon Pollyps -HELP

[nichole]

Does anyone know anything about colon polyps in children?

[Barbinne]

Wow I know the feelings you are going through as a mom. My son now age 19 just had a total colectomy, and all I can say is what a relief. Since about age 12 he has had colonoscopies. He had 100
s of juvenile polyps in his large colon. Research has shown they also have to potential to become malignant and they can also occur in the stomach. We found a wonderful surgeon in Omaha, Ne that was able to do the surgery laprascopy. He only spent 4 days in the hospital and is doing great after about 7 weeks now. My advice is to get as much information as you can from the internet, teaching hospitals are also a great source of information. Good luck

[nichole]

I will try your suggestions thank you so much! I will try anything a t this point are u a Doctor?

[Doug]

Ganglion eromas are benign tumors or growths as you said.  This is quite a rare condiion your son has.  If yo do not want to rush into surgery, you can try a couple of things (first ask your doctor) that may help: A) Increase calcium intake...use chewable calcium citrate supplement for kids.  B) Have him eat one childrens chewable asprin each day with a meal.  C) Get him on Mega B Vitamin that includes extr folic acid or folate. D)  Keep a diet high in green leafy vegetables, and low in saturated fats.  THese things have been show to reduce recurrance of polyps.

If you try these things for a period of several months and see improvements in the colonoscopies than you will know you are on the right track.. If colonoscopies continue to show new polyps...surgery may be indicated.  

Beest of luck.

[nichole]

Thank you so much! My son is 7 and has had 12 colonoscpys in the past year and a half each one resulting in removal of polyps
some are quite large 2-3 cm and others small  they all seen to contain ganglion neuromas which are nerve cells he has rectal bleeding and weight loss and has to go to bathroom everytime he eats. the symptoms have subsided for now he is having another colonoscpy in July to see what is going on. I have three other children two older with no problems and one younger with nothing yet. The Doctors can not seem to explain this to me. they did at one point suggest a colectomy but he is so small and weak I am scared. I have put him on a diet of no corn or nuts or anything with peanut oil and this seems to have helped any other suggestions as avoiding surgey is what we want.

[nichole]

Thank you so much! My son is 7 and has had 12 colonoscpys in the past year and a half each one resulting in removal of polyps
some are quite large 2-3 cm and others small  they all seen to contain ganglion neuromas which are nerve cells he has rectal bleeding and weight loss and has to go to bathroom everytime he eats. the symptoms have subsided for now he is having another colonoscpy in July to see what is going on. I have three other children two older with no problems and one younger with nothing yet. The Doctors can not seem to explain this to me. they did at one point suggest a colectomy but he is so small and weak I am scared. I have put him on a diet of no corn or nuts or anything with peanut oil and this seems to have helped any other suggestions as avoiding surgey is what we want.

[nichole]

Thank you so much! My son is 7 and has had 12 colonoscpys in the past year and a half each one resulting in removal of polyps
some are quite large 2-3 cm and others small  they all seen to contain ganglion neuromas which are nerve cells he has rectal bleeding and weight loss and has to go to bathroom everytime he eats. the symptoms have subsided for now he is having another colonoscpy in July to see what is going on. I have three other children two older with no problems and one younger with nothing yet. The Doctors can not seem to explain this to me. they did at one point suggest a colectomy but he is so small and weak I am scared. I have put him on a diet of no corn or nuts or anything with peanut oil and this seems to have helped any other suggestions as avoiding surgey is what we want.

[Doug]

Colon polyps in children is quite rare, however when it does occur it is usually associated wih FAP.  This is a genetic condition in which hundreds and sometimes thousands of polyps develp along the wall of the colon at an early age.  The problem is that almost 100% of these polyps turn canceous at some point...usualy with in 10-20 years of developing.  My understanding is that the reccomended treatment is removal of a large portion of colon and reconnecting the two ends as to not need a colostomy.  Main side effect is having to pass stool more frequently than the average person.  Remember though polyps are NOT cancer they only have the real potential of becoming cancerous.  I would compare it to a child born witha bunch of birthmarks...that kid would have a high likliehood of developing melanoma at some point....but remove the birthmarks and you are back to worry free.  Same holds true for this.  By the way my grandfather had this over thirty years ago and had a large portion of colon removed...he has been troublefree ever since.  Best of luck.