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Colorectal polyps - Overview

Alternative Names

Intestinal polyps; Polyps - colorectal; Adenomatous polyps; Hyperplastic polyps; Villous adenomas

Definition of Colorectal polyps:

A colorectal polyp is a growth that sticks out of the lining of the colon or rectum.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Polyps of the colon and rectum are usually benign, meaning they are not cancer and they do not spread. There may be one or many polyps, and they become more common as people age.

Over time, certain types of polyps, called adenomatous polyps, may develop into colon cancer. Another common type of polyp found in the colon is called a hyperplastic polyp, which usually does not develop into colon cancer.

Polyps bigger than 1 centimeter have a greater cancer risk than polyps under 1 centimeter. Risk factors include:

Age
Family history of colon cancer or polyps
A type of polyp called villous adenoma

Polyps may also be associated with some inherited disorders, including:

Familial adenomatous polyposis
Gardner syndrome
Juvenile polyposis
Lynch syndrome (HNPCC)
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

Colonoscopy

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Reviewed last on: 11/8/2010
George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Lieberman DA. Clinical practice: screening for colorectal cancer. N Engl J Med. 2009;361(12):1179-1187.

Burt RW, Barthel JS, Dunn KB, et al. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology. Colorectal cancer screening. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2010;8:8-61.

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