What is a colon polyp?

Polyps are benign growths (noncancerous tumors or neoplasms) involving the lining of the bowel. They can occur in several locations in the gastrointestinal tract but are most common in the colon. They vary in size from less than a quarter of an inch to several inches in diameter. They look like bumps growing from the inside lining of the bowel protruding out. They sometimes grow on a stalk and look like mushrooms. Some polyps can be flat. People can have several polyps scattered in different parts of the colon. Some polyps can contain cancer, although the vast majority of polyps do not. Larger polyps are more likely to become cancerous than smaller ones.

How common are colon polyps? What causes them?

While uncommon in 20-year-olds, more than 40% of persons over 50 have precancerous polyps in the colon. Smoking, obesity, diabetes and inadequate exercise are risk factors for polyps, but many people with none of these risk factors have precancerous polyps in the colon. There are genetic risk factors for developing polyps as well.

What are known risks for developing polyps?

One of the biggest risk factors for developing polyps is being older than age 45. A family history of colon polyps or colon cancer increases the risk of polyps. Also, people with a personal history of polyps or colon cancer are at higher risk of developing new polyps in the future than a person who has never had a polyp. In addition, there are some rare syndromes that run in families which increase the risk of forming polyps and cancers, even at younger ages.

How are polyps removed?

Almost all precancerous polyps found during colonoscopy can be completely removed during the procedure. Various removal techniques are available; most involve removing them with a wire loop or biopsy forceps, sometimes using electric current. This is called polyp resection or polypectomy. Since the bowel’s lining isn’t sensitive to cutting or burning, polyp resection doesn’t cause discomfort.

How are polyps found?

Screening to detect polyps is important because most polyps do not cause any symptoms.

Several screening techniques for detecting polyps and cancers in the colon are available: colonoscopy, tests on stool samples, sigmoidoscopy, or radiology tests such as a computed tomography colonography (CTC).

Colonoscopy is the best test for finding polyps and the only test that allows for removal of polyps during the exam.

Other commonly used tests can be performed on a sample of your stool, which look for small amounts of blood or abnormal genetic material (DNA) in your stool, as it can be a sign that you have polyps or cancer in your colon. Larger polyps can cause trace amounts of blood in the stool which may not be seen by the naked eye, but can be detected by these special stool tests.

When any test other than colonoscopy is positive (abnormal), a colonoscopy must be performed. Colonoscopy with removal of polyps is performed to help prevent a person from developing colon cancer.

Because your doctor cannot always be certain of the polyp type by its appearance alone, doctors generally recommend removing polyps found during a colonoscopy. After the polyp has been completely removed, it is examined under a microscope by a pathologist to determine the type of polyp and if it was the type of polyp that could have turned into cancer. This information will help your doctor make recommendations about the timing of your next colonoscopy.

What are the risks of polyp removal?

Polyp removal (or polypectomy) during colonoscopy is a routine outpatient procedure. Possible complications, which are uncommon, include bleeding from the polypectomy site and perforation (a hole or tear) of the colon.

Bleeding from the polypectomy site can be immediate or delayed for several days; persistent bleeding can almost always be stopped by treatment during a repeat colonoscopy. Perforations rarely occur and can sometimes be closed with clips during the colonoscopy, but other times require surgery to repair.

How often do I need colonoscopy if I have polyps removed?

The timing of your next colonoscopy depends on several factors, including the type, number and size of polyps removed. The quality of cleansing affects your doctor’s ability to see the inside surface of the colon where polyps form. If your colon is inadequately cleansed, your doctor may recommend repeating a colonoscopy sooner. Your doctor will decide when your next colonoscopy is necessary.