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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffColon polyps range from smaller than a pea to golf ball sized. Small polyps aren't likely to cause problems. You might not know you have one until your doctor finds it during an examination of your bowel. Sometimes, however, you may have signs and symptoms such as:
- Rectal bleeding. You might notice bright red blood on toilet paper after you've had a bowel movement. Although this may be a sign of colon polyps or colon cancer, rectal bleeding can indicate other conditions, such as hemorrhoids or minor tears (fissures) in your anus. You should discuss any rectal bleeding with your doctor.
- Blood in your stool. Blood can show up as red streaks in your stool or make bowel movements appear black. Still, a change in color doesn't always indicate a problem — iron supplements and some anti-diarrhea medications can make stools black, whereas beets and red licorice can turn stools red.
- Constipation, diarrhea or narrowing of the stool. Although a change in bowel habits that lasts longer than a week may indicate the presence of a large colon polyp, it can also result from a number of other conditions.
- Pain or obstruction. Sometimes a large colon polyp may partially obstruct your bowel, leading to crampy abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and severe constipation.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you notice the following symptoms.
- Abdominal pain
- Blood in your stool
- A change in your bowel habits that lasts longer than a week
You should be screened regularly for polyps if:
- You're age 50 or older
- You have risk factors, such as a family history of colon cancer — in some cases, high-risk individuals should begin regular screening much earlier than age 50
References
- Ahnen DJ, et al. Approach to the patient with colonic polyps. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 15, 2009.
- Ahnen DJ, et al. Epidemiology and risk factors for colorectal cancer. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 15, 2009.
- What I need to know about colon polyps. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colonpolyps_ez/. Accessed June 14, 2009.
- Torpy JM, et al. Colon polyps. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008;300:1480.
- Fletcher RH. Screening for colorectal cancer: Strategies in patients at average risk. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 14, 2009.
- Levin B, et al. Screening and surveillance for the early detection of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps, 2008: A joint guideline from the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American College of Radiology. CA, A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2008;58:130.
- Colorectal cancer screening. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/colorectal-screening. Accessed June 15, 2009.
- How is colorectal cancer found? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_1x.asp?rnav=criov&dt=10. Accessed June 15, 2009.
- Seitz U, et al. Endoscopic removal of large colonic polyps. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 15, 2009.
- How is colorectal cancer treated? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_4X_How_Is_Colorectal_Cancer_Treated.asp?sitearea=. Accessed June 15, 2009.
- Can colorectal cancer be prevented? American Cancer Society. Accessed June 15, 2009.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. June 19, 2009.
- MYH-associated polyposis. Cancer Net, American Society of Clinical Oncology. http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Types/MYH-Associated+Polyposis. Accessed June 19, 2009.
