Polyp (medicine)

For polyps on the skin (acrochordons), see Skin tag.
Polyp
Polyp of sigmoid colon as revealed by colonoscopy. Approximately 1 cm in diameter. The polyp was removed by snare cautery.
SpecialtyPathology

A polyp is an abnormal growth of tissue projecting from a mucous membrane. Polyps are commonly found in the colon, stomach, nose, ear, sinus(es), urinary bladder, and uterus. They may also occur elsewhere in the body where there are mucous membranes, including the cervix, vocal folds, and small intestine.

If it is attached by a narrow elongated stalk, it is said to be pedunculated; if it is attached without a stalk, it is said to be sessile.

Some polyps are tumors (neoplasms) and others are non-neoplastic, for example hyperplastic or dysplastic, which are benign. The neoplastic ones are usually benign, although some can be pre-malignant, or concurrent with a malignancy.


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