Colonic Polyps (original) (raw)

Also called: Colon polyps

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• Diagnosis and Tests
• Prevention and Risk Factors
• Treatments and Therapies

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Summary

A polyp is an extra piece of tissue that grows inside your body. Colonic polyps grow in the large intestine, or colon. Most polyps are not dangerous. However, some polyps may turn into cancer or already be cancer. To be safe, doctors remove polyps and test them. Polyps can be removed when a doctor examines the inside of the large intestine during a colonoscopy.

Anyone can get polyps, but certain people are more likely than others. You may have a greater chance of getting polyps if you :

• Are over age 50
• Have had polyps before
• Have a family member with polyps
• Have a family history of colon cancer

Most colon polyps do not cause symptoms. If you have symptoms, they may include blood on your underwear or on toilet paper after a bowel movement, blood in your stool, or constipation or diarrhea lasting more than a week.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Start Here

• Colon Polyps (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

• Polyps of the Colon and Rectum (American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons) Also in Spanish

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Colonic Polyps (National Institutes of Health)

• Intestinal Polyps (in Children) (North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition) - PDF Also in Spanish

• Colonoscopy (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

• Colorectal polyps (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

• Large bowel resection (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish