Q: My mother is 54 yrs old & suffering from multiple polyps in the large intestine. It was detected around 1 year back when the colonscopy was done. It was suggested by the doctors that the large intestine should be surgically removed. The polyps were tested through biopsy for malignancy, & they were found non-malignant. However, we did not go for the surgery. As of now the situation is that her haemoglobin level is around 9. She can sometimes notice fresh blood in the stools & the occult blood is always present. She has lost almost 15 kg weight in last 1 year. Now since the tests like colonscopy are very painful we cannot repeat it frequently. Can you suggest any other tests etc as to know about the malignancy in the polyps? Can blood tests reveal that? Can MRI tell about the polyps turning into cancer? Please suggest the how frequently tests like colonscopy be done to know about the malignancy? If a polyp tests negative once in the first colonoscopy, how do we keep a check on the development of cancer?

A:The treatment for multiple polyps is removal of entire colon mainly because it is impossible to biopsy every polyp and ensure that none of them has turned malignant. Also your mother has been bleeding and lost weight suggestive of maligant change. Do not delay. The best course of action is surgery where we can do a ileopouch anal anastomosis.