Colon Polyps

What are colon polyps?

A colon polyp is an abnormal growth of the tissue in the large bowel (colon). There are different types of colon polyps and not all have the potential to turn into cancer.

Hyperplastic polyps are generally thought to be harmless. They do not become cancerous.

Adenomatous polyp, or adenoma, is a precancerous polyp. These polyps have the potential to turn into cancer. Removal of adenomatous polyps prevents them from becoming cancerous.

​Are colon polyps cancerous?

Colon and rectal cancer​ most often begins as polyps. Over time, some polyps can become cancerous. Removing polyps can help prevent cancer of the colon and rectum. Colon cancer is one the most common causes of death from cancer.

Who is more likely to develop colon polyps?

Everyone has a chance of developing colon polyps and colon cancer. However, some people are more likely to develop then than others. You may have a greater chance of developing polyps if:

• someone in your family has had polyps or cancer of the
• colon or rectum
• you have inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
• you weigh too much or smoke cigarettes

Signs and Symptoms

Usually there are no symptoms. However, rectal bleeding is a sign of real concern.

When should I start colon polyp screening?

Screening is testing for diseases when you have no symptoms. Finding and removing polyps can help prevent cancer of the colon or rectum. Your doctor will recommend screening for colon and rectal cancer at age 50 if you don’t have health problems or other factors that make you more likely to develop colorectal cancer.

If you are at higher risk for colorectal cancer, your doctor may recommend screening at a younger age, and you may need to be tested more often.

Treatment

Doctors treat colon polyps by removing them.

In most cases, the doctor uses special tools to remove colon polyps during colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy. During some procedures, doctors may use a special method they call endoscopic mucosal resection to remove some larger polyps. In endoscopic mucosal resection, doctors inject a solution underneath the polyp or apply suction to lift the polyp away from the healthy colon tissue. Doctors then remove the polyp. After the doctor removes polyps, he or she sends them for testing. A pathologist will check the polyps for cancer.

Doctors can remove almost all polyps without surgery.

If you have colon polyps, your doctor will ask you to have regular testing in the future because you have a higher chance of developing more polyps.