A polyp is an abnormal growth of tissue (tumor) projecting from a mucous membrane. If it is attached to the surface by a narrow elongated stalk it is said to be pedunculated. If no stalk is present it is said to be sessile. Polyps are commonly found in the colon, stomach, nose, urinary bladder and uterus. They may also occur elsewhere in the body where mucous membranes exist like the small bowel.

Colon Polyps

Colon polyps are uncommonly associated with symptoms. Occasionally rectal bleeding, and on rare occasions pain, diarrhea or constipation may occur because of colon polyps. Colon polyps are a concern because of the potential for colon cancer being present microscopically and the risk of benign colon polyps transforming with time into colon cancer. Since most polyps are asymptomatic, they are usually discovered at the time of colon cancer screening with either digital rectal exam (DRE), flexible sigmoidoscopy, Barium enema, colonoscopy or virtual colonoscopy. The polyps are routinely removed at the time of colonoscopy either with a polypectomy snare or with biopsy forceps. If an adenometous polyp is found with flexible sigmoidoscopy or if a polyp is found with any other diagnostic modality, the patient must undergo colonoscopy for removal of the polyp(s). Even though colon cancer is usually not found in polyps smaller than 2.5 cm, all polyps found are removed since the removal of polyps reduces the future likelihood of developing colon cancer. When adenometous polyps are removed, a repeat colonoscopy is usually performed in three to five years.

Most colon polyps can be categorized as sporadic.

Inherited Polyposis Syndromes

• Familial adenomatous polyposis
• Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
• Familial polyposis coli
• Turcot syndrome
• Juvenile polyposis syndrome
• Cowden disease
• Ruval-Caba-Myhre-Smith syndrome

Non-inherited Polyposis Syndromes

• Cronkhite-Canada syndrome

Types of colon polyps

• malignant polyp
• Adenomatous
• Hamartomatous
• Hyperplastic
• Inflammatory

See also

• Nasal polyp
• Uterine polyp

External links

• ASGE Website dedicated to colon cancer awareness and early detection.
• ASGE Website educating the public about endoscopy.
• National Institutes of Health polyp website
• Thorough review of polyposis syndromes by Dr. Ali Nawaz Khan with CME available
• Explanation of colon polyps and colon cancer in lay terms.

Gastroenterology | Gynecology

Polyp (Geschwulst) | Polype (médecine) | Darmpoliep | ポリープ | Polip (medycyna) | Polyper