What Is an Intestinal Polyp?
Intestinal polyps refer to the abnormally growing tissue protruding from the surface of the intestinal mucosa, and are collectively referred to as polyps until the pathological properties are determined. Its incidence increases with age and is more common in men. Colon and rectal polyps are the most common, and small intestinal polyps are rare. Polyps are mainly divided into two types: inflammatory and adenoma.
- English name
- intestinalpolyp
- English alias
- polypofintestine
- Visiting department
- Gastroenterology
- Multiple groups
- male
- Common locations
- Colon and rectum
- Common causes
- Chronic inflammation, viral infection, aging, embryo abnormalities, lifestyle habits, heredity
- Contagious
- no
Basic Information
Causes of intestinal polyps
- 1. Infecting inflammatory polyps is related to chronic intestinal inflammation, and the occurrence of adenomatous polyps may be related to viral infection.
- 2. age
- The incidence of colorectal polyps increases with age.
- 3. Embryo abnormalities
- Juvenile polyposis is mostly hamartoma, which may be related to abnormal embryo development.
- 4. Lifestyle
- Low dietary fiber diets are associated with colorectal polyps; smoking is closely related to adenomatous polyps.
- 5. Genetics
- The occurrence of certain polyposis is genetically related, such as familial non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC); familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
Clinical manifestations of intestinal polyps
- Clinical manifestations vary according to the location, size, and number of polyps growing.
- 1. Intermittent blood in the stool or blood on the surface of the stool, mostly bright red; secondary inflammation and infection can be accompanied by a large amount of mucus or mucous blood in the stool; Large pedicled polyps can cause intussusception; those with large or multiple polyps can develop intestinal obstruction; those with long pedicles and are located near the anus can prolapse from the anus.
- 2. A small number of patients may have symptoms of abdominal discomfort, dull pain or abdominal pain.
- 3. Anemia may occur in patients with blood, and shock may occur when the amount of bleeding is large.
Intestinal polyps examination
- 1. Digital rectal examination can touch low polyps.
- 2. Anal, rectal or fiber colonoscopy can be seen directly to the polyp.
- 3. Barium enema can show filling defect.
- 4. Pathological examination clarifies the nature of polyps and excludes canceration.
Intestinal polyps diagnosis
- 1. History of blood in the stool or mucus.
- 2. Polyp found in anal examination or colonoscopy.
- 3. Filling defects were seen in barium enema.
- 4. Pathological diagnosis excludes canceration.
Intestinal polyps treatment
- 1. Minimally invasive treatment (endoscopy)
- Polyps that meet the indications for endoscopic treatment can be removed endoscopically, and the resected specimens are sent for pathological examination.
- 2. Surgical treatment
- Polyps have a tendency to malignancy or do not meet the indications for endoscopic treatment; or pathological findings after endoscopic resection have residual lesions or cancerous changes.
- 3. Drug treatment
- (1) If there is bleeding in symptomatic treatment, stop bleeding and treat accordingly according to the amount of bleeding.
- (2) Treatment of inflammatory polyps caused by ulcerative colitis. See Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis
- (3) Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) can take celecoxib to reduce the number of adenomatous colorectal polyps, twice daily, with food.