Colon Polyps

What are colon polyps?

 

A colon polyp is a growth on the inner surface of the colon, also called the large intestine. Sometimes, a person can have more than one colon polyp. Colon polyps can be raised or flat.

The large intestine is the long, hollow tube at the end of your digestive tract. The large intestine absorbs water from stool and changes it from a liquid to a solid. Stool is the waste that passes through the rectum and anus as a bowel movement.


Digestive tract with the large intestine highlighted.

 

Are colon polyps cancerous?

 

Some colon polyps are benign, which means they are not cancer. But some types of polyps may already be cancer or can become cancer. Flat polyps can be smaller and harder to see and are more likely to be cancer than raised polyps. Polyps can usually be removed during colonoscopy—the test used to check for colon polyps.


Colon polyp.

Who gets colon polyps?

 

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

  • you’re 50 years of age or older
  • you’ve had polyps before
  • someone in your family has had polyps
  • someone in your family has had cancer of the large intestine, also called colon cancer


Find out if someone in your family has had polyps.

 

What are the symptoms of colon polyps?

 

Most people with colon polyps do not have symptoms. Often, people don’t know they have one until the doctor finds it during a regular checkup or while testing for something else.

But some people do have symptoms, such as blood in the stool. Blood can make stool look black, or it can show up as red streaks in the stool.

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How does the doctor test for colon polyps?

 

The doctor can use one or more tests to check for colon polyps.

  •  Colonoscopy- evaluation of the inside of the entire colon using an endoscope- a flexible lighted optical tube.  The tube has a tool that can remove polyps. The doctor usually removes polyps during colonoscopy, if they are present.  These polyps are then evaluated by a pathologist.
  • Stool test. The doctor will ask you to bring a stool sample in a special cup. The stool is tested in the laboratory for signs of cancer, such as DNA changes or blood. 

Who should get tested for colon polyps?

 

Talk with your doctor about getting tested for colon polyps if you’re 50 years of age or older, or earlier if you have symptoms or someone in your family has had polyps or colon cancer.

 Polyp removal

 

How can I prevent colon polyps?

 

Doctors don’t know of one sure way to prevent colon polyps. But you might be able to lower your risk of getting them if you

  • eat more fruits and vegetables and less fatty food
  • don’t smoke
  • avoid alcohol
  • exercise most days of the week
  • lose weight if you’re overweight

Eating more calcium may also lower your risk of getting polyps. Some foods that are rich in calcium are milk, cheese, yogurt, and broccoli.

Taking a low dose of aspirin every day might help prevent polyps. Talk with your doctor before starting any medication.

 

Points to Remember

  • A colon polyp is a growth on the surface of the colon, also called the large intestine.
  • Colon polyps can be raised or flat.
  • Some colon polyps are benign, which means they are not cancer.
  • Some types of polyps may already be cancer or can become cancer. Flat polyps can be smaller and harder to see and are more likely to be cancer than raised polyps.
  • Most people with colon polyps do not have symptoms.
  • Symptoms may include constipation or diarrhea for more than a week or blood on your underwear, on toilet paper, or in your stool.
  • Doctors remove most colon polyps and test them for cancer.
  • Talk with your doctor about getting tested for colon polyps if you’re 50 years of age or older, or earlier if you have symptoms or someone in your family has had polyps or colon cancer.

For More Information

American College of Gastroenterology
P.O. Box 342260
Bethesda, MD 20827–2260
Phone: 301–263–9000
Internet: www.acg.gi.org

American Gastroenterological Association
4930 Del Ray Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301–654–2055
Fax: 301–654–5920
Email: member@gastro.org
Internet: www.gastro.org

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
1520 Kensington Road, Suite 202
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Phone: 1–866–353–ASGE (2743) or 630–573–0600
Fax: 630–573–0691
Email: info@asge.org
Internet: www.asge.org

National Cancer Institute
Cancer Information Service
6116 Executive Boulevard, Room 3036A
Bethesda, MD 20892–8322
Phone: 1–800–4–CANCER (422–6237) or 301–496–6631
Email: cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov
Internet: www.nci.nih.gov

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