Identification and removal of polyps have been shown to prevent colorectal cancer. This brochure addresses many of the commonly asked questions about polyps and their relationship to colorectal cancer. A colorectal polyp is a benign, or noncancerous, growth found on the inside lining of the rectum or colon. Polyps are unusual in children or young adults, but quite common in people over 50 years old. Most people who develop polyps will have one or a few polyps at any given time, but some people may have hundreds to thousands of polyps.
Polyps have distinct shapes.
There are two common types of colorectal polyps, hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps. Hyperplastic polyps generally remain small and are not precancerous. Adenomatous polyps, or adenomas, have the potential to grow large and become cancerous. You may have polyps and not know it. Most polyps do not cause symptoms and are found incidentally during a regular cancer screening exam or in the investigation of gastrointestinal complaints.