A polyp is an abnormal tissue growth of tissue that can form flat (known as sessile) or in a narrow elongated projectile (known as “pedunculated”) from a mucous membrane.
Polyps commonly develop in the colon, sinuses, stomach, cervix, small intestine, bladder, uterus, and even in the nasal cavity, or in any other mucous membrane. There are nine classifications of polyps…
1. Colorectal Polyp
Colorectal polyps, as the name suggests, form in the colon. Even though it can take considerable time for symptoms to show themselves—pain, rectal bleeding, or diarrhea and constipation can indicate a problem or even the early stages of colon cancer (where polyps turn malignant). Most polyps are found during a routine colon cancer screening, in which case they are typically removed via biopsy to reduce the development of colon cancer with a follow up colonoscopy performed every 3 to 5 years.
