What is a polyp?
A polyp is a mass of overgrown tissue on the surface of the bowel. By age 50, one in four people have polyps. Removing a cancerous polyp before it penetrates the bowel wall is essential. Virtually all colon cancer develops from adenomatous polyps in the colon, generally referred to simply as colon polyps. A personal or family history of polyps puts one at higher risk for colon cancer. Polyps don’t always become cancerous, but risk of developing cancer increases with the number and size of colon polyps seen.
A polyp is an abnormal growth found on the inner wall of the colon or rectum. Some polyps are known to be the precursor of colorectal cancer. Polyps can be, benign (non-cancerous) or pre-cancerous. If caught early, pre-cancerous polyps can be removed before they may become cancerous. Research shows there is a correlation between type of polyp and polyp size. Smaller polyps (<6 mm) are usually benign, while larger (>8 mm) polyps have a potential of being pre-cancerous. The greater the size of the polyp the more likelihood the polyp is pre-cancerous. Small polyps <6 mm have less than 1% chance of becoming cancerous. Please note that about 85% of the colon cancer screening population will have no significant polyps. Virtual colonoscopy recommends removal of pre-cancerous polyps and follow-ups for small probable benign polyps.
A polyp is a small, usually benign growth. Polyps may occur anywhere in the body — on the cervix, inside the uterus, on vocal cords, within the intestinal tract. Polyps look a little like the uvula, the thing that hangs down in the back of our throats. The tissue that makes up the polyp is vulnerable to injury, so sometimes cervical polyps may cause spotting or bleeding after intercourse or tampon use. If the polyp is small and is causing no difficulties, your doctor may leave it alone. Many times, however, we remove them by simply twisting them off in the office — this is painless and quick. Larger polyps, which can bleed heavily, may be removed in an outpatient surgery center or in the office if mechanisms to stop bleeding easily are available. Occasionally a polyp may contain abnormal or even cancerous cells, so if it is removed it is usually sent to a lab for further analysis. The vast majority of polyps are benign.
A polyp is a specific and clearly demarcated mass (“mass” simply means “lump,” and does not imply cancer or precancerous lesion) usually found at the midpoint the vocal cord. This typical location suggests that polyps are the result of phonotrauma, the physical stresses on the vocal fold which occur with heavy voice use or voice use under adverse circumstances. Some believe that polyps are formed by localized bleeding of the small blood vessels of the vocal folds when they are ruptured by shear forces.
