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Melanosis Coli (cont.)

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What is the prognosis (outcome) of melanosis coli?

If a person stops using anthranoid laxatives, the changes associated with melanosis coli lessen over time and may disappear.

Early studies suggested that anthranoid laxatives might have carcinogenic or tumor-promoting activities in humans and that the presence of melanosis coli might signal an increased risk for the development of colorectal cancer. However, more recent follow-up studies have failed to show an association between colon cancer and anthranoid laxative use or between colon cancer and the finding of melanosis coli.

REFERENCE: Shazia Ahmed, M.D., and Naresh T. Gunaratnam, M.D. Melanosis Coli. N Engl J Med 2003; 349:1349October 2, 2003



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Melanosis Coli - Symptoms Question: What symptoms did you experience with your melanosis coli?
Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/melanosis_coli/article.htm

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