Bowel & Colon Polyps

Bowel Polyps/Colon Polyps occur mainly in the large bowel (colon & rectum). They are lumps visible inside the bowel. Normally the inside lining of the bowel is smooth, pink and shiny with spaced out folds. A polyp is a lump which interrupts this smoothness.

Polyps can vary in size. A polyp can look like a pea or a wart, sometimes a small mushroom on a stalk, or even resemble an area of raised carpet with many finger-like projections. There are many types of colon polyps, some of which carry no potential for developing into cancer and some that do.

Adenomas and hyperplastic polyps

The 2 most common types of polyps are adenomas and hyperplastic polyps.

Colonic adenomas are more common as people get older. Doctors believe they may represent an increased risk for colorectal cancer, although they believe only a small number of adenomas develop into cancer and those that do take many years to do so.

Hyperplastic polpys, although they do not involve a risk for colorectal cancer in themselves, can sometimes contain adenomas, especially if the hyperplastic polyps are large. Your polyp is removed during colonoscopy and sent to the pathologist to determine what sort it is.

Doctors estimate that adenomas of the colon occur in about 20 per cent of the population, but it may be the case that only people with certain genetic profiles, or those who have large polyps go on to develop colorectal cancer.

Will polyps come back?

The polyp that has been removed is unlikely to come back, however you are susceptible to growing other polyps that must again be removed. A susceptible person should be examined every 2-5 years, or more frequently if symptoms develop or if advised by your doctor.

Do colonic polyps run in families?

Yes. Most (but not all) colonic polyps have a familial cause. If one parent has a colonic polyp or cancer there is a chance that the sons and daughters also carry the dangerous gene. For this reason if you have or have had a polyp your brothers and sister, mother and father as well as children may carry the gene and may be advised to have a colonoscopy as well.

What can be done to prevent colon polyps?

A diet high in fibre and low in dietary fat is thought ot help protect against the development of colon polyps.It is important however to have regular colonoscopies to check for their presence.

What are the symptoms of colon polyps?

In most cases, polyps do not cause any symptoms and may only be discovered during a routine screening by your doctor. They may, however, bleed and you may see blood in your stool or from your rectum. Sometimes (although this is rare), a large polyp may obstruct or block your bowel, which leads to constipation or diarrhoea, abdominal pain or vomiting.