Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

 

Ask the Expert

Dr. Hanna’s Bio Image

Get answers to your GI Cancer questions by
e-mailing Dr. Hanna.

Dr. Hanna’s Bio | Q&A Archive

Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis via e-mail.

Video details

Do Not Remove This Text

Related Content


 

Colorectal polyps - Overview

Alternative Names

Intestinal polyps; Polyps - colorectal

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. There may be single or many polyps, and they become more common as people age.

Over time, certain types of polyps, called adenomatous polyps, may develop into 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

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

  • Familial adenomatous polyposis
  • Gardner's syndrome
  • Juvenile polyposis
  • Lynch syndrome (HNPCC)
  • Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
  • Reviewed last on: 2/20/2008
  • Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Smith RA, Cokkinides V, Eyre HJ. American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of cancer. CA Cancer J Clin. 2006;56:11-25.