Juvenile Polyposis:
A Guide for patients and their families
What Treatments are Available?
Joy Larsen Haidle, MS, CGC, UI Health Care
V. Kim Horton, RN, MS, CGC, UI Health Care
James R. Howe, MD, UI College of Medicine
Hope Bergemann, UI Health Care
Peer Review Status: Internally reviewed by the authors
First Published:
Last Revised: April 2002
Treatment is available for people with JP regardless of their decision about genetic testing. Currently, the most effective treatment includes routine screening colonoscopy, involving a long flexible endoscope (camera) used to search for polyps in the GI tract. If polyps are detected, endoscopic polypectomy (surgical removal of the polyps) may be performed. Routine endoscopic screening may reduce the risk of the polyps becoming cancerous or from them becoming large enough to cause a blockage of the colon. In some cases, removal of all or part of the colon and/or stomach may be necessary to alleviate symptoms or to reduce cancer risks when a large number of polyps are found.
Previous generations of families affected with JP did not have the benefit of surveillance or the medical technology that is available today. Increased awareness, education, and screening have helped successive generations benefit from early detection of JP and cancer prevention/risk reduction.
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