Polyps are harmless growths (neoplasms or noncancerous tumors) usually occurring in the lining of the small intestine.
They tend to develop in a cluster but can occur at any place in the digestive tract. Some types of polyps are flat and others may have multiple branches and can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation or abdominal pain.
Polyp growths are common in both children and adults. Most commonly, they occur in the large intestine where they form polyps, but they may also appear elsewhere in the digestive system. They are sometimes known by other names, including adenomas, adenohiasis, diverticula, gallbladders, gallstones and gallbladder tumors. The name polyp is derived from Greek words meaning “many small ones.”
Polyp removal varies depending on their location.
When the polyp is present in its normal size and shape, the process of removing it usually involves removing one or more sections or the entire polyp.
One of the most common forms of removal of polyps is surgical removal. In some cases, surgery alone may not be enough to remove a single polyp. This is especially true if the polyp is large. In such cases, surgeons use various techniques to fully remove the polyp.
Surgical removal of polyps typically relies on non-surgical methods, such as freezing, scraping or biopsy. A doctor may freeze the polyp or remove it with a laser.
Scraping the polyp is the process of removing it with a small brush or scalpel. Some doctors also use a special instrument called a biopsy. A doctor uses this tool to examine the polyp and look for abnormalities such as blood vessels and connective tissue.
In some cases, if the surgeon cannot remove the entire polyp, he may decide to use a combination of freezing, scraping and biopsy. This approach is considered the third approach because it takes a little more time than freezing and scraping alone. and can help remove the polyp more thoroughly than just freezing alone. If a surgeon decides to use a combination of freezing, scraping and biopsy, then, it is important to discuss the results with your doctor in detail.
If surgery removes all of the polyps, the patient generally will experience immediate relief from symptoms.
However, many patients may still experience some discomfort for the first few days. In the event that the polyp grows back, it is very likely that the original polyp was benign and it could be removed using the same or similar techniques used to remove it the first time.
In most cases, removal of polyps through surgery can be done only if the polyp was not malignant. Because of their location, many polyps are non-cancerous and so treatment will not cause damage to the small intestine.
The third approach to surgical removal of polyps involves using some form of a laser. This method is the safest. The lasers work by damaging the polyp.
This is done in such a way that the polyp itself does not die. The body’s natural defenses destroy the polyp using enzymes, resulting in the death of the polyp.
Unfortunately, some doctors choose not to use lasers to remove polyps. These doctors believe that removing polyps using lasers can cause the formation of scar tissue.
However, medical experts state that scarring can actually be prevented by not picking at your polyps. By picking at your polyps, it is possible to actually damage other areas of your intestines, resulting in more inflammation.
Although removal procedures may have different effects on people, they all have one goal in common. That is to help you achieve a healthy bowel movement. It is in your best interest to consult your doctor before deciding whether to undergo any type of procedure to remove polyps.