Polyps

Polyps are bumps on the surface of the colon; as said above, though, polyps usually begin as benign. Only certain forms of polyps eventually become cancerous. As well, they are quite common for adults: an average of 30-50% of adults will have at least one polyp in their lifetime.

Of the all the forms of polyps found in the colon, there are three that are very common:

• Hyperplastic Polyp - located at the colon's end, these never become malignant. If they are allowed to grow, though, they may cause other problems for the patient later.
• Adenomatous Polyp - these polyps, unlike hyperplatic polyps, begin as benign but they may become cancerous if they aren't treated. The larger the polyp becomes the high the risk of cancer. About two-thirds of all polyps are adenomatous.
• Malignant Polyp - these polyps contain cancerous cells indefinately unless they are removed. Of all the polyps, about one-third are malignant.