Colonic Polyps
What is a polyp?
A polyp is growth from the lining of the lining of the bowel. There are different types of polyp.
What are the different types of polyp?
The commonest polyp is a hyperplastic polyp. This has no risk of cancer but can be a marker for developing more polyps.
The second commonest is an adenomatous polyp. There are different subtypes but all are precancerous and left untreated may progress to cancer.
Conditions with polyps?
There are some genetic diseases that cause many polyps with high risk of bowel cancer. The commonest are Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome (also known as Hereditary Non Polyposis Colorectal Cancer Syndrome HNPCC). These patients often need surgery.
How to treat polyps?
Most polyps can be removed through a colonoscope but some are too large and need surgery.
What happens after a polyp is removed?
Any patient having a polyp removed will need ongoing colonoscopic surveillance. The frequency depends on the number, type and size of the polyp.
