Melanosis coli is a benign discoloration of cells in the colon and usually isn’t diagnosed unless a person has a colonoscopy or a sigmoidoscopy, which examines the lower part of the colon. The condition usually solely results from regularly using certain forms of laxatives like Senecot® which is made from senna, or from other plant based substances such as aloe vera. This is not a serious disease, is often reversible, and has few symptoms. The main concern on finding melanosis coli is that it can suggest laxative abuse, which can lead to other colon disorders that are very serious.
The dark spots or brown discolorations in the colon sound like they are made by melanin, a pigment, given the name of melanosis coli. This isn't the case. Use of certain laxatives on a regular basis, which typically exceeds recommendations, may cause some cells to die in the colon tissues. Through processes of the body, larger then normal cell death ends up resulting in dark color in various parts of the colon.
As mentioned, there are very few symptoms. Yet clearly, people suffering from laxative abuse may have fairly frequent diarrhea. Melanosis coli wouldn’t be suspected in the majority of cases, unless a patient had a history of laxative abuse or overuse. Due to an outward lack of symptoms, this condition isn’t typically found unless sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy is performed.
It was thought at one point that melanosis coli suggested a greater likelihood of colon cancer development, but this is now not an accepted view. However, should a doctor suspect that laxative abuse is occurring; they will tell people to end laxative use. There are very difficult complications that may arise from overuse of laxatives and the only way to treat laxative abuse and start to resolve the condition concurrently is to end laxative use.
The presence of spots or shadow on any type of scan of the body is often a very frightening thing. In this case, however, people should not be concerned about a diagnosis of melanosis coli, especially in terms of development of things like cancer. It is true that laxative abuse can lead to increased risk for colorectal cancer, but the spots themselves do not suggest that any form of cancer is currently present.
