What are polyps?
Polyps are abnormal growths of tissue. They are small and can be shaped like a raised bump or a stalk with a stem. Polyps latch onto the walls, or lining, of your organs. The colon is the most common place to get a polyp. You can get polyps in other places, too, though, including the:
- Nose
- Ear
- Throat
- Stomach
- Cervix (women)
- Uterus (women)
Most polyps are not dangerous, but some can become cancerous tumors.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Signs you might have polyps
Most people who have polyps do not have symptoms. Contact your doctor if you have bleeding from your rectum. This can be a sign of colon polyps. Women may have yellow discharge or irregular bleeding from their vaginas. These can be signs of cervical or uterine polyps or cancer.
How doctors find and test polyps
If a polyp is in your ear or nose, you may see or feel it. Colon polyps often are diagnosed during a colorectal screening, called a colonoscopy. Cervical and uterine polyps may be diagnosed during a pap smear or colposcopy. If your doctor finds a polyp anywhere, he or she will likely do a biopsy. This consists of removing a sample of abnormal tissue. They will send it to a lab to check the cells and look for cancer.
What causes polyps?
There is no one specific reason you get a polyp. Abnormal growths of body cells and tissue cause them to form.
People with rare, inherited disorders have a greater chance of getting colon polyps. These include:
- Juvenile polyposis
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
- Gardner syndrome
- Lynch syndrome
- Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
Can polyps be prevented or avoided?
Polyps cannot be prevented. As you age, your risk of getting a colon polyp increases. You can help find colon polyps early by getting routine colorectal screenings. Finding the polyps early can help prevent colon cancer. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends routine colorectal screening for all adults between the ages of 50 and 75.
Treatment and removal options
If you are healthy, your doctor will likely recommend removing the polyps to prevent cancer from developing or spreading. The choice of procedure depends on the polyps’ location, size, and whether they are cancerous. Before the procedure, you may need to fast, and your doctor may give you medicine to help you relax and reduce pain. Because of the sedation, arrange for someone else to drive you home.
Colon Polyps
During a colonoscopy, the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope through your rectum into the colon and then guides a small tool through the tube to remove the polyps. A sigmoidoscopy offers another way to remove polyps, while a colectomy—surgical removal of part of the colon—may be necessary if the polyps are large or cancerous.
Cervical and Uterine Polyps
The doctor can remove these polyps by inserting a speculum into your vagina to view the cervix, twisting off smaller polyps, or using electrocautery to burn off larger ones.
Stomach or Throat Polyps
For stomach or throat polyps, the doctor performs an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), guiding an endoscope down your throat to reach the affected area and remove the growths with a specialized tool.
Nose or Throat Polyps
During a laryngoscopy, the doctor inserts a laryngoscope through your mouth and removes the polyps with a small tool.
Ear Polyps
Because ear polyps are visible, the doctor can remove them directly with a small instrument.
After treatment you may notice minor bleeding, pain, or drowsiness from the sedative. Less common risks include infection or tears in nearby organs. Let your doctor know right away if you experience severe pain, fever, or persistent bleeding.
Living with polyps
Treatment provides a good outlook. If you do not get your polyps removed, they can continue to grow. They may develop into cancer. If you’ve had polyps before, you are at greater risk of getting more. Talk to your doctor about routine screenings to check for future polyps.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Are there special instructions I need to follow before polyps treatment?
- What are the risks of treatment?
- How long after treatment can I return to my normal routine?
- If I have had polyps before, what are my chances of getting more in the future?
- If other members of my family have polyps, am I more likely to get them?
- Do polyps ever go away on their own?
Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians
This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.
