Malignant neoplasm of the colorectum - Colorectal adenoma Factor
A colorectal adenoma is a visible protrusion from the inner lining surface of the large bowel. The condition is very common in the Western world and is found in some 30% of middle-aged or elderly people. It may also be referred to as a colorectal adenomatous polyp. Multiple polyps are common. The anatomical location of a polyp (colon or rectum) will have been recorded at the time of discovery. Polyps of the colon are more common than polyps of the rectum.
Most polyps are symptomless, being neither suspected nor detected. Occasionally bleeding from the lesion may result in frank blood loss being noted at defaecation, but more often the bleeding is so little as to go undetected except by an "occult blood" test. Symptoms vary with the anatomical location of the polyp and, depending on the size and location of the polyp, may impede the passage of stool, resulting in the development of abdominal cramping, occasional obstruction, and even perforation. There may be symptoms of haematochezia (the passage of bloody stools), tenesmus (painful and ineffectual straining at stool), and narrowing of the calibre of the stool.
A colorectal adenoma may be detected by proctosigmoidoscopy and/or colonoscopy (including virtual colonoscopies done by CT scan) which are relatively simple procedures. These are carried out on an outpatient basis and are preferable to barium enema examinations as direct visualisation is possible. The lesions are usually excised when noted at endoscopy because of their malignancy potential.
The specialist treating the veteran for a colorectal adenoma would have recorded any significant history of symptoms even if the veteran had not sought medical attention until some later time.
Last reviewed for CCPS 26 August 2004.
Preliminary questions [14796]
32226 the veteran has suffered from colorectal adenoma at some time.
32316 the veteran has adenoma of the colon.
or
32330 the veteran has adenoma of the rectum.
14841 the veteran suffered from the identified illness or injury before the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the colorectum.
14842 the veteran has established the causal connection between the colorectal adenoma and VEA service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the colorectum.
14843 the veteran has established the causal connection between the colorectal adenoma and operational service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the colorectum.
or
14844 the veteran has established the causal connection between the colorectal adenoma and eligible service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the colorectum.
Clinical onset and operational service [14843]
14805 the identified illness or injury, a colorectal adenoma, is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [14844]
14806 the identified illness or injury, a colorectal adenoma, is causally related to eligible service.