Bowel polyps
Bowel polyps
Overview
Bowel polyps are small growths on the inner lining of the colon (large bowel) or rectum. They are common, affecting 15% to 20% of the UK population, and don’t usually cause symptoms.
Polyps are usually less than 1cm in size, although they can grow up to several centimetres. There are various forms:
- some are a tiny raised area or bulge, known as a sessile polyp
- some look like a grape on a stalk, known as a pedunculated polyp
- some take the form of many tiny bumps clustered together
Bowel polyps are not usually cancerous, although if they’re discovered they’ll need to be removed, as some will eventually turn into cancer if left untreated.
Some people just develop one polyp, while others may have a few. They tend to occur in people over the age of 60.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Causes
Why does this happen?
Bowel polyps form when cells in the bowel lining grow too fast. This lining renews itself all the time, but a faulty gene can speed up that growth, leading to polyps.
Bowel polyps and bowel cancer can also run in families.
Treatment
How are they treated?
There are a few ways to treat polyps, but the most common is a procedure called snaring, done during a colonoscopy. Snaring works like slicing the polyp off with a fine wire, and it doesn't hurt.
Both this method and cauterisation involve passing a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope through the anus and up into the bowel. The colonoscope carries a wire that runs an electric current, which is used to either burn off (cauterise) the polyp or snare it away.
In rare cases, a polyp has to be dealt with by surgically removing part of the bowel. Doctors turn to this only when the polyp shows some cell changes or is unusually large.
Once the polyp or polyps have been removed, they're sent to a laboratory, where specialists examine them and let the consultant know:
- whether the polyp has been completely removed
- whether there is any chance of it growing back
- whether any cancerous change is present in the polyp
If a cancerous change is found, further treatment may be needed, depending on how far it has progressed. The specialist looking after you will be able to guide you on the right next step.
Complications
Some people need further colonoscopies later on, since polyps can come back. In a few cases, they also tend to run in families. This is uncommon, but if it applies to you, it means you'll need colonoscopy checks at regular intervals.
You might be asked to come back for repeat examinations roughly every 3 to 5 years, so any new polyps can be caught early, before they get a chance to develop into bowel cancer.