Different types ofcolon polypshave various shapes or growth patterns.
Tubular polyps, for example, have a growth pattern that resembles regularly spaced tubes.
Villous polyps have a leaf-like growth pattern, and tubulovillous polyps show a combination of both growth patterns.
PonyWang / Getty Images
PonyWang / Getty Images
What Are Colonic Polyps?
A colon polyp is a growth on the lining of the wall of yourcolon (large intestine)orrectum.
Polyps are common in people over 50 and tend to grow slowly.
In most cases, colon polyps do not cause any symptoms.
Because of this, polyps can go undetected until they are found during a routine colonoscopy.
This is why it is important to continue to have routine screening as advised by your healthcare provider.
Tubular Adenomas
Tubular adenomasmake up around two-thirds of all colon polyps.
They are one of two types ofadenomatous polypsthat can develop in the colon’s inner lining.
Tubular adenomas as so-named because they tend to form in an orderly tubular shape.
Tubular adenomas are considered low risk for developing into cancer.
What Is a Neoplasm?
The termneoplasiadescribes an abnormal growth of cells that gradually lose the characteristics of normal cells.
When neoplastic cells form into a mass, it is called aneoplasm(tumor).
Neoplasms can bebenign(non-cancerous),malignant(cancerous), orprecancerous.
The termvillousdescribes the finger-like projection (villi) on the surface of the epithelial tissues.
Tubulovillous Adenomas
Some adenomas share characteristics of both tubular and villous adenomas, calledtubulovillous adenomas.
These have a greater potential for turning cancerous than tubular adenomas but less than villous adenomas.
Hyperplastic Polyps
Hyperplastic polyps are a jot down of polyp that rarely ever turns cancerous.
The termhyperplasiasimply describes an abnormal increase in the number of cells that causes tissues to enlarge.
(Benign prostatic hyperplasia, for example, is the term used to describe an enlarged prostate.)
Hyperplastic adenomas tend to develop in parts of thedigestive tractwhere tissues have been previously damaged.
Hyperplastic polyps are considered to be non-neoplastic.
Inflammatory Polyps
Inflammatory polypsare those that arise in tissues damaged by chronic intestinal inflammation.
They are mostly found in people withinflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such asCrohns diseaseorulcerative colitis.
Hamartomatous Polyps
Hamartomatous polypsare a rare pop in of colon polyp typically seen in children.
They may manifest with a single polyp or multiple polyps.
Hamartomatous polyps are considered an inherited genetic condition.
This is evidenced by the fact that cancer rarely occurs if there is only one hamartomatous polyp.
The differs from adenomas, in which cancer can develop from a single polyp.
This suggests that multiple factors, including genetics, contribute to the onset of cancer from hamartomatous polyps.
Some of these characteristics are linked to an increased risk of colon cancer.
There is evidence that genetics play a part.
This includes having so-calledAPC, TP53, andKRASgene mutations, which often run in families.
Other tests can suggest the presence of polyps.
A positive result could mean you have polyps that will need to be removed during a colonoscopy.
How Are Colon Polyps Treated?
Colonic polyps are typically removed during a colonoscopy.
The polyp is usually collected and then sent to a laboratory so it can be tested for cancer.
How soon depends on the polyps' size, number, and jot down.
How Are Colon Polyps Prevented?
Certain risk factors such as your age and family history of colon polyps can’t be changed.
However, there may be ways to reduce your chances of developing polyps.
The most important of these is your diet.
How Many Polyps Are Normal in a Colonoscopy?
Larger polyps and higher numbers of polyps increase your chance of developing colon cancer.
Summary
Colon polyps are abnormal tissue growths in the colon’s lining (large intestine).
Many polyps are harmless, but some have the potential to turn cancerous.
Hamartomotous polyps found in children can also lead to cancer, albeit by different means.
To prevent polyps from turning cancerous, routine colon cancer screening is recommended.
This includes direct and indirect screening methods such as colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, or stool-based tests.
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