There are special techniques to remove larger polyps and sometimes a person will be referred here for removal either with endoscopy or sometimes with surgery."īecause colon polyps can be removed before they become cancerous, it makes colonoscopies one of the only tests available that can actually prevent cancer. The larger the polyp is, the harder it is to remove it. Once removed, how a polyp looks under the microscope (during the pathology exam) determines the appropriate follow up. "Most polyps will be removed during the colonoscopy. This is why colonoscopy exams are essential for preventing cancer," says Kevin Robillard, MD, Associate Professor of Oncology in the Department of Gastroenterology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.Ĭomplete the cancer screening and prevention questionnaire to manage your cancer risk and screening needs. Therefore, the only way to know if they are there is to test for them. "Most polyps do not typically cause symptoms, and they don't go away on their own. That risk increases significantly if the polyp is greater than 10 mm (1 cm) research has shown the larger a colon polyp becomes, the more rapidly it grows. The larger the polyp becomes, the bigger the risk of it developing into colon cancer. The size of a polyp typically does make a difference. While the majority of colon cancers start as polyps, only 5-10% of all polyps will become cancerous.
Polyps are common in American adults, and while many colon polyps are harmless, over time, some polyps could develop into colon cancer. It most commonly results in a raised surface or bump on the inner surface of the colon.
A colon polyp is an irregularity of the internal lining of the colon.