Colorectal Polyps
Polyps are commonly found during routine screening exams of the colon and rectum, occurring in approximately 20 percent to 30 percent of American adults. Polyps are abnormal growths arising from the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Some polyps are flat; others have a stalk.
Polyps can occur throughout the large intestine, but are more commonly found in the left colon, sigmoid colon and rectum. The large majority of polyps will not become cancers; however, certain types of polyps are precursors to cancer development. Removal of polyps during colonoscopy reduces the risk of developing colorectal cancer in the future.
Most colorectal polyps do not cause any symptoms, which is why screening for colorectal polyps and cancer is so important. The presence of polyps can cause blood in the stool in some patients. Excess mucus production, changes in bowel frequency, and abdominal pain are less common symptoms associated with the presence of colorectal polyps.
The most common method for detecting colorectal polyps is colonoscopy. During this outpatient procedure, your doctor examines the colon using a long, flexible, lighted instrument. If polyps are found, they are removed at the same time. The colon can also be examined indirectly by CT colonography, sometimes referred to as a virtual colonoscopy. If polyps or a tumor are found, follow-up colonoscopy may be needed to remove or biopsy polyps. Other methods for detecting polyps include digital rectal exam, fecal occult blood testing, barium enema and sigmoidoscopy. Another alternative would be Cologuard. This at-home screening test detects DNA markers in your stool. Cologuard is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high-risk patients. As your physician if you qualify for this test.
Because there is no way to predict whether a colorectal polyp will become a cancer, we recommend removal of polyps. The vast majority of polyps can be removed or destroyed by our specialists during a colonoscopy. Large polyps may require more than one treatment and some patients may require surgery for complete polyp removal.
Once a colorectal polyp is completely removed, recurrence is unusual. However, new polyps may develop in at least 30 percent of patients after polyp removal. To minimize the risk for future polyps, our experienced team will recommend follow-up procedures at specific intervals to watch for new polyps, usually within three to five years following polyp removal.
