Colorectal polyps

Alternative names:

intestinal polyps

Treatment:

Colorectal polyps larger than 1 centimeter present a risk of cancer and must be removed. Usually the polyps can be removed by colonoscopy. Follow-up colonoscopy should be performed in 3 years to check for polyp recurrence. For polyps with a high malignancy potential a colectomy (removal of a part of the colon) may be recommended.

Expectations (prognosis):

Most types of polyps have less than a 10% chance of being malignant (cancerous).

Complications:

There are usually no complications.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if rectal bleeding occurs.