What is a Polyp?
A polyp is a growth from the inner lining of the bowel. It can commonly occur in the colon or in the stomach and less commonly in the small bowel and oesophagus.
Most polyps are harmless, but there are some that can develop into cancer, including bowel cancer. There are a few different types of polyps:
There are benign polyps, which are harmless, and there are polyps that are pre-malignant, including low risk or low risk of change into cancer and high risk, higher risk of change into cancer.
Really the key for polyp assessment is careful inspection during endoscopy and where possible, removal of the whole polyp.
Usually we can do this during time of your procedure, but occasionally for larger, more complex polyps, we may need to send a referral for you to see the colorectal surgeons.
The Australian Cancer Council recommends bowel cancer screening above the age of 45 or at a younger age for those who have a family history of bowel cancer.
Additional videos on a range of common conditions are available to view on the Gastroenterology Specialist Care YouTube channel.
Note, this video is not a medical consultation. Any medical information is general in nature and is not intended to provide individual clinical advice. You should contact your doctor or other healthcare professional in relation to any concerns they may have, as your own circumstances may be different.
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