polypes

Polyp (plural polyps; polypes is used in some languages) refers to a mass of tissue that projects from a mucous membrane or from another surface. Polyps can be benign or precursors to cancer. They occur in many parts of the body, including the colon, stomach, nasal passages, uterus, bladder, skin, and the inside of the mouth. In the colon, polyps are common in adults and are often discovered during screening. They can be flat (sessile) or stalk-like (pedunculated). Most colon polyps are non-neoplastic (hyperplastic), but adenomatous polyps have the potential to progress to colorectal cancer, which is why removal and surveillance are important.

Other polyp types include nasal polyps, grayish-globular growths associated with chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma; endometrial or uterine polyps, benign outgrowths of the endometrium that can cause abnormal bleeding; and fibroepithelial polyps of the skin (acrochordons), common benign lesions. There are hereditary polyposis syndromes with multiple polyps in the gastrointestinal tract, such as familial adenomatous polyposis and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.

Diagnosis typically involves endoscopic or radiologic visualization and biopsy to determine histology. Management depends on site and histology and may include polypectomy during colonoscopy, surgical removal, or medical therapy for associated conditions. The prognosis depends on the type and location; benign polyps that are removed typically have a good prognosis, whereas certain neoplastic polyps require ongoing surveillance due to cancer risk.