What are bowel polyps?

What’s covered?

Colon polyps often referred to as bowel polyps, are small abnormal tissue lesions that can appear on the rectum or colon (large bowel) wall. Although they have the potential to become larger, many polyps are minor, typically measuring less than 1 cm. A polyp may resemble a small rounded mass, a blister, a grape, a mushroom on a stalk, or a mass of several tiny bumps. When compared to others, some persons just have one polyp.

While the vast majority of polyps are benign, some can eventually turn malignant and cause bowel cancer. Because of this, if they are discovered, they are often eliminated.

Are bowel polyps a sign of cancer?

Most bowel cancers are caused by colonic polyps, although having polyps does not guarantee cancer will occur. Only a small fraction of polyps, mostly adenomas, develop into cancer. A polyp can develop into cancer over a period of 5 to 15 years.

The size, quantity, and features of the polyp can lead to increased risk. All polyps must be treated when discovered because polyps are where most bowel cancers start. The likelihood that they will develop into cancer is decreased the earlier they are eradicated. After having any adenomas removed, a person often needs regular screenings to look for the growth of new polyps or indications of bowel cancer.

Bowel polyps have a substantially higher chance of developing into cancer due to a number of unusual hereditary disorders. For instance, the colon in persons with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) develops 100 or more microscopic polyps, giving it the appearance of a field of little elevated bumps. A family may have more than one person affected by this illness. A person has virtually a 100% probability of developing bowel cancer before the age of 50 if FAP is not identified and treated. Therefore, routine bowel screening is recommended for everyone who has a family member with FAP. In order to prevent cancer, the majority of FAP patients are advised to have their large intestines removed.

Diagnosis of bowel polyp

Bowel polyps are typically diagnosed after a gut cancer screening test or a bowel examination for another reason they generally have no symptoms. Most intestinal polyps are discovered during a colonoscopy, a type of examination examining the whole colon. A small, flexible tube is inserted into the rectum during a colonoscopy. The doctor may inspect the entire colon with the help of the tube, and it also enables tissue sampling for examining or removing polyps.

Sometimes, a bowel polyp is diagnosed with other tests such as a result of

Types of Bowel polyps

The great majority of polyps won't develop into cancer. It is more likely for some polyps to develop into cancer. The chance of eventually getting colon cancer is decreased by removing polyps during a colonoscopy.

Colon and rectal polyps of the following categories are most common:

1. Adenomatous polyps

Adenomatous polyps are the most prevalent kind of colon polyp, accounting for about 70% of all polyps. When this kind of polyp is discovered, it is examined for signs of cancer. Nearly all malignancy polyps started as adenomatous, although only a small proportion develop into cancer. However, it usually takes many years for these polyps to develop into colon cancer. They can be identified and eliminated before that occurs with routine screening.

2. Hyperplastic bowel

Hyperplastic polyps, a type of serrated polyp, are frequent, microscopic, and are thought to have a very low risk of developing cancer. The usual procedure is to eliminate and test any dysplastic polyps seen in the colon to make sure they are not malignant.

3. Serrated Polyps

Serrated polyps may develop into cancer due to their size and position in the colon. Hyperplastic polyps, or small, serrated polyps in the lower intestine, are rarely cancerous. Premalignant greater serrated lesions are often flat (sessile), hard to find, and found in the upper colon.

4. Inflammatory polyps

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are more likely to develop inflammatory polyps. These polyps are also referred to as pseudo polyps since they are not actual polyps but instead form in response to ongoing intestinal irritation. Since they are non-invasive, inflammatory polyps often do not increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

5. Villous Adenoma

Villous or tubulovillous adenomas make up around 15% of the polyps seen during colon cancer screening. This kind of polyp has a significant likelihood of developing into malignancy. They are frequently solitary, which causes removal more challenging. Villous adenoma polyps of varying sizes can be permanently removed, whereas smaller polyps can be eliminated via a colonoscopy.

During a colonoscopy, polyps can be found and completely removed, stopping them from developing into malignancy. Large polyps could need more than one procedure, and in certain patients, total excision may undergo surgery. Consult your doctor about the appropriate forms of assessment and frequency if you are at a higher risk for colon polyps.

What are the causes of Bowel polyps?

Normal cells divide and expand in an organised manner. Various gene mutations can keep cells multiplying even when no new cells are required. This uncontrolled development can result in polyps in the colon and rectum. If you have a parent, sibling, or kid with bowel polyps or carcinoma, you are more prone to get those conditions yourself. Your risk is increased if a lot of your close relatives have them. This relationship isn't inherited by some people.

According to a review of eight kinds of research, three or more alcoholic drinks per day increased the incidence of colon polyps. Additionally, it appears that drinking alcohol and smoking raises the risk

Following hereditary conditions may develop Bowel polyps.

1. Lynch syndrome

Lynch syndrome is also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer here, Colon polyps tend to form in relatively small numbers in Lynch syndrome patients, but they have a high potential for malignancy. The most prevalent genetic form of colon cancer, Lynch syndrome is also linked to malignancies of the ovaries, abdomen, chest, digestive tract, and urinary bladder.

2. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)

A rare syndrome, that starts to manifest in adolescence and results in the developing polyps in the lining of the bowel. Your chance of getting colon cancer is about 100% if the polyps are not removed. However, it can be determined by genetic tests.

3. Gardner's syndrome

A FAP mutation results in the growth of polyps all over your colorectal and large intestines. Non-malignant cancers can also form in the scalp, bones, and belly, among other bodily regions.

4. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

A disorder that typically starts with patches appearing on the mouth, cheeks, and feet, among other parts of the body. The intestines then begin to generate non-malignant polyps. People with this illness do have a higher risk of colon cancer as these polyps could develop into a malignancy.

5. Serrated polyposis syndrome

A syndrome that causes several serrated adenomatous polyps on the right side of the colon's top section. These polyps need to be monitored and removed since they can turn into cancer.

What are the symptoms of Bowel polyps?

You might not be aware that you have a polyp before your doctor discovers it during a routine screening test because most patients with colon polyps show no symptoms.

But some persons with colon polyps might experience:

1. Bleeding

This might be a symptom of bowel cancer, polyps, haemorrhoids, or mild anus rips.

2. Change in stool colour

Your faeces may have red stains or look black if you have blood in them. Specific meals, drugs, or nutritional supplements can also cause an alteration in colour.

3. Change in bowel habits

Long-lasting diarrhoea or constipation may be an indication of a bigger bowel polyp or malignancy. Changes in bowel habits, however, can also be caused by several other diseases.

4. Pain

Your bowels may be partially obstructed by a massive colon polyp, which can cause sharp abdominal pain and rectal bleeding.

5. Iron deficiency anaemia

Polyp bleeding can happen gradually over time without any obvious blood in your stool. The iron required to build the component that enables red blood cells to deliver oxygen to your body is depleted in your body as a result of persistent bleeding. As a result, you may have fatigue and breathlessness due to iron deficiency anaemia.

What are the preventions of Bowel polyps?

By getting routine screenings, you can significantly lower your chance of developing colon polyps and colorectal cancer. Changes in lifestyle can also be beneficial.

1. Develop good habits

Reduce your fat intake while increasing the number of vitamins, fruits, and whole grain products in your diet. Limit your alcohol intake, and give up smoking completely. Keep yourself physically active and at keeping a healthy weight.

2. Increase your intake of vitamin D and calcium

According to studies boosting your calcium intake may help in preventing the recurrence of colon adenomas. However, it is unclear if calcium offers any protection against colon cancer. Other research has suggested that vitamin D may act as a preventative measure for colorectal cancer.

3. Do screening if you have a family history of bowel polyps

Consider seeking genetic counselling if colon polyps run in your family. Beginning in young adulthood, you will require routine colonoscopies if you have been told that you have a hereditary condition that results in colon polyps or bowel cancer.

You can also do tests at home for most polyps that occur in the small and large intestines with help of Welzo bowel cancers home test.