Colon Polyps

Overview

Colon polyps are fairly common in middle-aged and older adults and often don't have noticeable symptoms. Their potential to become cancerous makes it important that they be taken seriously. Although the vast majority of polyps are benign (noncancerous), nearly all colon cancers form from benign polyps.

The good news is that early identification and removal of polyps can prevent colon cancer from developing and that advances in screening techniques — some pioneered at Mayo Clinic — make earlier diagnosis easier.

Mayo Clinic is a leader in identifying and treating polyps of the colon and rectum, including rare hereditary polyp disorders. Mayo Clinic specialists treat more than 10,000 patients for colon polyps each year.

Diagnosis

Some polyps are detected during routine examinations — a digital rectal exam by the doctor or fecal occult (hidden) blood tests of the stool. However, only polyps located in the lower rectum or polyps that bleed (most don't) can be found with these methods.

Most polyps require more in-depth screening to be detected. Colonoscopy is considered the best method for finding colon polyps. Mayo Clinic performs more than 35,000 traditional colonoscopies per year and another several thousand virtual colonoscopies. Read more about colon cancer screening.

Treatment Options

Most polyps can be removed during the same procedure used to detect them (colonoscopy). Learn more about colon polyp treatment options.

About Colon Polyps

Enlarge

A colon (or colorectal) polyp is a small growth found on the inside lining of the colon or rectum. Colon polyps vary greatly in size, shape and number. The two main types are hyperplastic and adenomatous. Hyperplastic polyps are the most common and typically do not become cancerous unless they grow beyond a certain size. Adenomatous polyps are more likely to become cancerous. Read more about polyp types.

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