Forsyth Medical Center 
Colorectal
Polyps of the Colon and Rectum
| Polyps are one of the most common conditions affecting the colon and rectum. |
Polyps are abnormal growths that occur in the lining of the large intestine and extend into the intestinal canal.
Symptoms
Often there are little or no symptoms occur with polyps. They are often are discovered during an endoscopy or x-ray of the bowel. If symptoms do occur, they may include:
- bleeding
- mucous discharge
- alteration in bowel function
- abdominal pain (in rare cases)
Diagnosis
Polyps are diagnosed either by a colonoscopy which looks directly at the lining of the colon or by an x-ray study (barium enema).
There are three types of colorectal endoscopy:
- rigid sigmoidoscopy (examines lower 6-8 inches of large intestine)
- flexible sigmoidoscopy (examines lower one-fourth to one-third of the colon)
- colonoscopy (examines entire colon)
Treatment
Total removal of all polyps is advised. The majority of polyps can be removed with a wire loop passed through the instrument during an examination. Small polyps can be destroyed simply by touching them with a coagulating electrical current. Most colon examinations using the flexible colonoscope, including polyp removal, can be performed on an outpatient basis with little discomfort.
