Understanding your colonoscopy report

Polyps are a common finding in ~30% to 50% of all colonoscopies in adults. While most polyps are harmless, removing them during your procedure can help reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer. Colonoscopies may also be used to screen for precancerous polyps (adenomas) and cancerous polyps (adenocarcinoma). A colonoscopy can show areas of irritation and sources of bleeding. Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory bowel diseases may be to blame for inflammation. We may also find that bleeding is caused by conditions such as ulcers or haemorrhoids. Additionally, a colonoscopy may reveal diverticulitis, a condition characterised by inflammation or infection of small pouches (diverticula) that form in the wall of the colon. 

If your results are “normal,” this largely means the colon was seen clearly, and no growths, inflammation, and other abnormalities were found. If your results are “abnormal,” this means we found polyps, inflammation, bleeding, or other unusual deviations from a clear, healthy colon. “Positive” findings refer to irregularities, such as the presence of polyps and precancers, in tissues that were removed or biopsied for further analysis. When findings are “negative,” it means no cancerous cells or cell changes were detected in tissue samples. Lastly, findings may refer to inflammation as either “nonspecific” or “chronic.” Nonspecific inflammation is defined as mild irritation without a clear cause, often associated with infections and bowel preparation. If chronic inflammation is found, it generally indicates long-standing irritation caused by a condition like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.