Colorectal polyps

• Alternative Names

  Intestinal polyps; Polyps - colorectal; Adenomatous polyps; Hyperplastic polyps; Villous adenomas

• Causes, incidence, and risk factors

  Polyps of the colon and rectum are usually benign. There may be single or many polyps, and they become more common as people age.

  Over time, certain types of polyps, called adenomatous polyps, may develop into colon cancer. Another common type of polyp found in the colon is called a hyperplastic polyp, which usually does not develop into colon cancer.

  Polyps bigger than 1 centimeter have a greater cancer risk than polyps under 1 centimeter. Risk factors include:

  • Age
  • Family history of colon cancer or polyps
  • A type of polyp called villous adenoma

  Polyps may also be associated with some inherited disorders, including:

  • Familial adenomatous polyposis
  • Gardner syndrome
  • Juvenile polyposis
  • Lynch syndrome (HNPCC)
  • Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
• Symptoms

  There are usually no symptoms. However, the following symptoms may occur:

  • Abdominal pain (rare)
  • Bloody stools
  • Fatigue associated with anemia
  • Rectal bleeding
• Signs and tests

  A rectal examination may rarely reveal a polyp that can be felt by the health care provider. However, the physical exam is usually normal.

  Tests that show polyps include:

  • Barium enema
  • Colonoscopy
  • Sigmoidoscopy
  • Virtual colonoscopy
• Treatment

  Over time, adenomatous colorectal polyps can develop into cancer and should be removed. In most cases, the polyps may be removed at the same time a colonoscopy is performed. For patients with polyps, follow-up colonoscopy should be performed within 3 - 5 years to see if the polyps have returned.

  Rarely, for polyps with a high potential of becoming cancerous, the health care provider may recommend a colectomy (removal of a part of the colon).

• Expectations (prognosis)

  The outlook for patients with colorectal polyps is excellent, assuming the polyps are removed. Polyps that are left behind can develop into cancer over time.

• Complications

  Polyps can cause bleeding, and over time, can develop into cancers.

• Calling your health care provider

  Call your health care provider if you have

  • Black, tar-like stools
  • Blood during a bowel movement
  • Change in bowel habits
• Prevention

  The following is recommended to reduce the risk of developing polyps:

  • Eat a diet low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables, and fiber
  • Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake
  • Maintain a normal body weight

  Colonoscopy prevents colon cancer by removing polyps before they can become cancer. People over age 50 should have a colonoscopy screening, which makes earlier diagnosis and treatment possible. This may reduce the odds of developing colon cancer, or at least help catch it in its most treatable stage. Those with a family history of colon cancer or colon polpys may need to be screened at an earlier age.

  See physical exam frequency for further recommendations about having a screening test.

• References

  Lieberman DA. Clinical practice. Screening for colorectal cancer. N Engl JMed. 2009 Sep 17;361(12):1179-87.

Review Date: 11/5/2009

Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital.