An overgrowth of cells in the lining of the colon results in the formation of polyps in the colon. Even though they are mostly harmless, some colon polyps have the tendency to develop into colon cancer which can be fatal when found in its later stages. Polyps can develop in any area of the colon where the growth and division of new cells goes unregulated. Being overweight, having a habit of smoking, having a family history of colon polyps and increasing age can increase your risk to get polyps in the colon.
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms that may be suggestive of colonic polyps are:
- Blood in the stool
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Persistent diarrhea, or constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
Treatment
Surgical removal of the polyp is the best line of treatment for colonic polyps. Small polyps can be removed during a colonoscopy while large ones would require laparoscopic surgery. Both are minimally invasive procedures that require very less downtime. The polyp tissues which are removed should undergo tissue analysis to rule out cancer. Treatment of colon polyps should not be avoided as it is a preventive measure against the development of colon cancer.
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