Polyps are common.  Studies have shown about 25-30% of people over the age of 50 have a precancerous colon polyp on their exam.  Most all polyps are removable during the colonoscopy.  We have many tools that we can put through the working channels of the colonoscope during your exam that allow us to safely remove them.  For small polyps, I use biopsy forceps that are like small scissors and allow to me to trim the polyp out.  For larger polyps I use a snare (like a loop) that goes around the base of the polyp.  Then, while cutting through the polyp, an electric current is applied that cauterizes the base to help keep it from bleeding.  Since the polyps grow in the superficial lining of the colon (mucosa) there are very few significant blood vessels so any bleeding is usually minimal and stops on its own in a minute or two.  Polyps that are too large to be safely removed are biopsied and tattooed (a dye is injected into the lining of the colon at the site of the polyp for easy identification in the future).  Then, once the biopsy results come back, we sit down and discuss the significance of the polyp and decide if we can safely just monitor it or have it removed laproscopically (surgery).  All polyps that are removed are sent to a gastroenterology trained pathologist who reviews the polyp and sends me a report as to what type of polyp it is.  That information, along with my recommendations, are then sent to you through my patient web portal and faxed to your physician as well.