Polypos

Polypos is a term used in some languages to refer to more than one polyp; in English the standard plural is polyps. In medical contexts, a polyp is a growth that protrudes from a mucous membrane, often hanging by a stalk (pedunculated) or lying flat (sessile). Polyps occur in many organ systems, most commonly in the colon and rectum, nose and paranasal sinuses, stomach, and uterus. They vary in tissue composition and behavior: hyperplastic, inflammatory, hamartomatous, adenomatous, and serrated polyps in the gastrointestinal tract carry different cancer risks; adenomatous and serrated polyps have malignant potential, especially when larger or numerous. Nasal polyps are usually inflammatory edema associated with chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic disease; gastric polyps may be benign but certain types (adenomatous, fundic gland) require removal and surveillance.

Diagnosis is typically by endoscopy or imaging, with biopsy to determine histology. Treatment generally involves removal of the polyp via endoscopic polypectomy, sometimes followed by pathology assessment and, if necessary, medical therapy addressing underlying conditions (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, Helicobacter pylori infection). Surveillance intervals depend on polyp type, size, number, and patient's risk factors. The term polypos can also appear in non-English medical literature as the plural form of polyp, reflecting linguistic variation in medical nomenclature. See also polyp; mucosal growth; colon cancer screening.