I recently had a polyp removed during a routine colonoscopy. My doctor said it was a hyperplastic polyp. What is this, and does this mean I have an increased risk for developing colon or rectal cancer?
Polyps are benign (non-cancerous) growths in the lining of the large intestine. Although most polyps never become cancerous, virtually all colon and rectal cancers start from these benign growths.
There are two common types of polyps found in the large intestine:
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Hyperplastic polyps — These are small, completely benign polyps that do not carry a risk of developing into cancer.
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Adenomas — These are benign polyps that are considered precursors (the first stage) of colon and rectal cancer.
All cancers of the colon and rectum begin as adenomas, but few adenomas (only one or two out of 100) ever become malignant (cancerous). This process takes several years. When polyps are discovered during examination of the colon, doctors sometimes find it hard to tell which are precancerous and which are not. Even among adenomas, it is impossible to tell which ones will become malignant. For these reasons, all polyps in the colon and rectum are removed.
You should follow your doctor's recommendations on how often to have colonoscopies in the future. Fortunately, through regular colorectal cancer screenings, colorectal cancer is preventable and curable, if detected early.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 11/15/2005
