Colon & Rectal Polyps
Colon & Rectal Polyps
What are colon & rectal polyps?
A polyp is a small growth of excess tissue that often grows on the lining of the large intestine, also known as the colon. Colon and rectal polyps occur in about 25 percent of men and women ages 45 and older. Not all polyps will turn into cancer, and it may take many years for a polyp to become cancerous.
Anyone can develop colon and rectal polyps, but people with the following risk factors are more likely to do so:
- Age 45 years and older
- A family history of polyps or colon cancer
- A rare inherited gene that makes people more likely to develop polyps
- An inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
- High-fat, low-fiber diet
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Little or no exercise
- Obesity
What are complex polyps?
Complex polyps (sometimes referred to as “defiant polyps” in the medical literature) are those polyps that possess one of the following features: size greater than 2 centimeters, in a location unfavorable or too sessile for removal by more straightforward techniques, or simply polyps that the doctor performing your colonoscopy does not feel they can safely remove.
What are the different types of colon and rectal polyps?
Polyps grow in two different shapes: flat (sessile) and with a stalk (pedunculated). Sessile polyps are more common than previously thought and harder to detect in colon cancer screening. They lie flat against the surface of the colon’s lining, also known as the mucous membrane. Pedunculated polyps are mushroom-like tissue growths that attach to surface of the colon’s mucous membrane by a long, thin stalk.
Five Types of Polyps
The large majority of polyps will not become cancers. Certain types of polyps are more likely to turn into cancer. Removal of polyps during a colonoscopy reduces the risk of developing colon cancer in the future.
The most common types of colon and rectal polyps are:
- Adenomatous (tubular adenoma): About 70 percent of all polyps are adenomatous, making it the most common type of colon polyp. When this type of polyp is found, it is tested for cancer. Only a small percentage become cancerous, but nearly all malignant polyps began as adenomatous. Fortunately, the process for these polyps to turn into colon cancer typically takes many years. With regular screening, they can be found and removed before that happens.
- Hyperplastic: A type of serrated polyp, hyperplastic polyps are common, small and considered extremely low risk for turning cancerous. Typically, any hyperplastic polyps found in the colon are removed and tested to ensure they are not cancerous.
- Sessile Serrated: Depending on their size and location in the colon, serrated polyps may become cancerous. Small, serrated polyps in the lower colon, also known as hyperplastic polyps, are rarely malignant. Larger serrated polyps, which are typically flat (sessile), difficult to detect and located in the upper colon, are precancerous.
- Inflammatory: Inflammatory polyps most often occur in people who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These types of polyps are also known as pseudopolyps because they are not true polyps, but rather develop as a reaction to chronic inflammation in the colon. Inflammatory polyps are benign and generally do not carry the risk of developing into colon cancer.
- Villous Adenoma (Tubulovillous Adenoma): Approximately 15 percent of polyps detected in colon cancer screening are villous or tubulovillous adenomas. This type of polyp carries a high risk of turning cancerous. They are commonly sessile, which makes them more difficult to remove. Smaller villous adenoma polyps may be removed during a colonoscopy, while larger polyps of this type may require surgery for complete removal.
Polyps can be detected and safely removed during a colonoscopy, preventing them from turning into cancer. Large polyps may require more than one treatment, and in some patients surgery could be required for complete removal. If you have an increased risk for colon polyps, talk with your doctor about the types and frequency of tests that will be best for you.
Appointment Information
To schedule an appointment with a provider to discuss treatment options for colon and rectal polyps, call us at 888-229-7408.
To schedule a colonoscopy call 877-758-2626.
What are the symptoms of colon polyps?
You can have colon polyps and not know it, because they usually don't cause symptoms. They are usually found during routine screening tests for colorectal cancer. If polyps get large, they can cause symptoms. You may have bleeding from your rectum or a change in your bowel habits.
How are colon polyps diagnosed?
Most colon polyps are found during tests for colorectal cancer. These tests include stool tests that you can do at home and procedures to look inside the colon that are done at your doctor's office or clinic.
Stool tests look for signs of cancer in a stool sample. If your result is abnormal, you'll probably have a follow-up colonoscopy to find the cause, which could be colon polyps, colorectal cancer, or another problem.
Procedures that can look inside the colon and find polyps include colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy). Polyps found during a colonoscopy can often be removed during the test. If polyps are found during one of the other procedures, you may need a colonoscopy.
If you've had any polyps, routine follow-up testing is important. How often you need it will depend on what kind of polyps were found, how many, and other issues.
How are colon polyps treated?
Doctors often remove colon polyps, because some of them can turn into colorectal cancer. Most polyps are removed during a colonoscopy. You may need to have surgery if you have a large polyp.
After removal, polyps are checked to find out if they are the kind that could become cancer. If cancer is found when the colon polyps are checked, you will begin treatment for colorectal cancer.
For some types of polyps, the bigger a colon polyp is the more likely it is that the polyp will contain cancer cells. After you have had polyps, you have a higher chance of developing new polyps. If you have had polyps removed, it is important to have follow-up tests to look for more polyps. Talk to your doctor about how often you need to be tested.
Locations
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Gastroenterology Clinic | Taubman Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
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Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2435Get Directions
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