Colon Polyps

What Are Colon Polyps?
A colon polyp is a small clump of cells that forms on the lining of the colon. They may be flat or develop on a stalk (like broccoli). Polyps are a common condition that is typically asymptomatic. Most never turn into cancer, but a small percentage can slowly grow and develop into colon cancer.

Types of Colon Polyps

• Adenomatous Polyps: These are not cancerous initially a precursor to colorectal cancer.
• Serrated Polyps: Not cancerous initially, however they have a greater potential to become cancerous without treatment.

Causes & Risk Factors
Anyone can develop colon polyps, but risk increases with:

• Age (all adults over 45 should be screened)
• Family history of polyps or colon cancer
• Smoking or heavy alcohol use
• Being overweight
• Familial Syndromes (genetic predisposition) (Lynch syndrome, FAP syndrome)

Symptoms
Most colon polyps do not cause symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include:

• Rectal bleeding or mucus discharge
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps or pain
• Changes in stool color or bowel habits
• Iron deficiency anemia

Diagnosis
Colon polyps are usually found during routine screenings like a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. Any polyps discovered are removed and sent for lab testing to determine if they could become cancerous. Follow-up screenings are recommended based on polyp type, size, and number.

Treatment
Most polyps can be removed safely during a colonoscopy. The majority of polyps get removed this way. However, larger or more complex polyps may require minimally invasive surgery, which is where we come in. Early removal prevents progression to colon cancer.

Screening
Regular colorectal screening is key to preventing colon cancer. Please ask your general practitioner about getting a referral to us for treatment of colon polyps.