The colonoscopy is over. The doctor has removed a polyp, told you it needs to be tested, and now you’re back home waiting for the report. You might have been given a date for the results, but there’s still a lot you probably don’t know.
For instance, why does the polyp need testing if it has already been taken out? And does finding a polyp mean there’s a risk of cancer?
Not necessarily. The thing is, a doctor can look at the bowel lining through the colonoscopy camera, but that doesn’t tell them everything about the cells inside a growth. That’s why the sample goes to the laboratory.
Why the Laboratory Needs to Examine a Polyp
Polyps aren’t all alike. Some are harmless, while others can develop into colorectal cancer over time. A doctor may suspect what type of polyp it is from its appearance, but the sample needs to be examined to get a definitive answer.
After removal, the tissue is labelled and sent to a pathology laboratory. A pathologist prepares a very thin section of it and looks at the cells under a microscope. The report describes what kind of tissue was found and whether there are any abnormal changes.
You may come across the word adenoma in the report. An adenoma is a type of polyp that can potentially become cancerous over time, but it isn’t cancer itself. Removing it helps prevent that possibility. What happens next depends on its size, type and other details from the colonoscopy.
Sometimes, the doctor takes a sample even when there isn’t a polyp. Perhaps a patch of the bowel lining looks inflamed or unusual. In that case, the aim is to find out what’s causing the change.
If you’re booking a screening colonoscopy in Singapore, ask the clinic what happens if tissue is removed. It is a simple question, but you’ll know who to contact and roughly when to expect an update.
Waiting for the Report
There’s a bit of work involved before the laboratory can issue a result. The tissue has to be prepared and examined, and occasionally the pathologist needs additional tests before completing the report. So, the waiting time isn’t exactly the same for everyone.
Before you leave the clinic, ask when you should hear back. Some clinics arrange another appointment, while others contact you when the report is ready. If that date comes and goes, give them a call. You don’t need to sit around wondering whether you’ve missed something.
Also, try not to read too much into the wait. No news doesn’t mean the result is normal, but a delay doesn’t mean bad news either. There can be several reasons for it.
Some health information may be available through Singapore’s HealthHub, depending on the records and services involved. If you happen to see your report there before speaking to the doctor, don’t panic over an unfamiliar medical term. Note it down and ask about it at your appointment.
Reading Colonoscopy Biopsy Results in Singapore
The report might be only a page or two, yet some of the wording can be difficult to follow. You may see terms describing inflammation, a particular type of polyp, or changes in the cells. What those findings mean depends on the details.
Take an adenoma, for example. It is not the same as cancer, even though some adenomas can become cancerous over time. The doctor will look at its features and the other findings before deciding when you should have another colonoscopy.
If cancer is found, further tests may be needed. The biopsy helps identify the tissue, but it doesn’t always provide all the information needed to work out how far the disease has spread or what treatment is suitable.
Searching online for colonoscopy biopsy results in Singapore can give you a general idea of the terms used in a report. Just be careful about comparing your results with someone else’s. Two people may have had polyps removed, for example, but need quite different follow-up plans because the size, number or type of polyps wasn’t the same.
If something in the report isn’t clear, ask the doctor to explain it in plain English. You shouldn’t have to guess what a medical term means or what you’re supposed to do next.
Why Another Colonoscopy May Be Recommended
Getting a biopsy doesn’t automatically mean you’ll need another colonoscopy soon. Some people can return to routine screening. Others are asked to come back earlier, depending on what was found.
The number of polyps, their size and their type all play a part in deciding the next examination date. There isn’t one follow-up schedule that suits everybody.
Bowel preparation can affect the decision too. Before the procedure, you take medication to clear stool from the colon. It doesn’t always work as well as expected, and sometimes stool remains in parts of the bowel. That can make it difficult for the doctor to see the lining properly.
In such cases, another colonoscopy may be needed even if the biopsy result doesn’t show anything concerning. The problem is that some areas might not have been examined clearly enough the first time.
The doctor will also check whether the polyp was completely removed. The laboratory report helps, but it isn’t the only thing considered. What the doctor saw during the procedure is important as well.
Questions Worth Asking at Your Appointment
When you get the report, don’t be afraid to ask what the findings actually mean. You can ask whether the polyp was completely removed, whether you need any further treatment and when your next colonoscopy should be.
If the doctor recommends another examination sooner than you expected, ask why. It might be because of the type of polyp, the number found or the bowel preparation. Knowing the reason makes the recommendation easier to understand.
One other thing: find out how you’ll receive future results and whom to contact if nobody gets back to you by the expected date. It’s easy to forget to ask this when you’re sitting in the consultation room.
You don’t need to memorise all the medical terms in the report. What you do need is a clear idea of what was found and what happens from here. If you leave the appointment still unsure, ask again.
