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Colonic Polyps
Summary
A polyp is an extra piece of tissue that grows inside your body. Colonic polyps grow in the large intestine, or colon. Most polyps are not dangerous. However, some polyps may turn into cancer or already be cancer. To be safe, doctors remove polyps and test them. Polyps can be removed when a doctor examines the inside of the large intestine during a colonoscopy.
Anyone can get polyps, but certain people are more likely than others. You may have a greater chance of getting polyps if you :
- Are over age 50
- Have had polyps before
- Have a family member with polyps
- Have a family history of colon cancer
Most colon polyps do not cause symptoms. If you have symptoms, they may include blood on your underwear or on toilet paper after a bowel movement, blood in your stool, or constipation or diarrhea lasting more than a week.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Find an Expert
- American Cancer Society American Cancer Society
- ASGE: Find a Doctor American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Encyclopedia
- Barium enema Medical Encyclopedia
- Large bowel resection – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
- Peutz-Jeghers syndrome Medical Encyclopedia
- Polyp biopsy Medical Encyclopedia
- Total proctocolectomy and ileal-anal pouch Medical Encyclopedia
- Total proctocolectomy with ileostomy Medical Encyclopedia
- Virtual colonoscopy Medical Encyclopedia
Treatments and Therapies
- Before a Colonoscopy: Ten Questions to Help You Select an Endoscopist American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
- Large bowel resection – Series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Can Colorectal Polyps and Cancer Be Found Early? American Cancer Society
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Colonic Polyps National Institutes of Health
Start Here
- Colon Polyps National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Polyps of the Colon and Rectum American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
Patient Handouts
- Colonoscopy Medical Encyclopedia
- Colorectal polyps Medical Encyclopedia
- Large bowel resection Medical Encyclopedia
- Lower GI Series National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Diagnosis and Tests
- Colonoscopy: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
- Lower GI Series (Barium Enema) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Screening Tests to Detect Colorectal Cancer and Polyps National Cancer Institute
- When You Visit Your Doctor: Colonic Polyps Harvard Medical School
Genetics
- Familial Adenomatous Polyposis American Society of Clinical Oncology
- Familial adenomatous polyposis: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Juvenile polyposis syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
Children
- Intestinal Polyps (in Children) North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition