The cells of the human organism have a biological program that determines their characteristics, their size and functioning pattern.
However, some of these cells may have a defect and behave differently from the others. When this happens, problems can occur , such as the formation of new tissues where they should not exist.
These changes can manifest in any part of the body , including the intestine, and one of the consequences may be the growth of an intestinal polyp, which we will talk about in this article. Read on to understand exactly how it is formed and how it can be treated.
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How does intestinal polyp form?
As we explained in the introduction, the cells of the human organism follow a pattern of behavior. It defines, among other factors , the speed and the way cells should multiply to replace others.
Intestinal polyps are formed when cells in the intestinal mucosa undergo genetic mutations and have their behavior modified. They multiply in a disorganized manner, giving rise to the formation of a new tissue, giving rise to a kind of lump or mole.
The intestinal polyp may have a low, flat shape, but some are similar to a mushroom. This formation can appear anywhere in the large intestine, triggering symptoms such as:
- bleeding;
- changes in bowel function;
- presence of mucus in the stool;
- abdominal pain (more rarely).
Usually, the intestinal polyp does not cause symptoms. At the beginning of his training, he is very small. They are usually diagnosed in exams such as contrasted X-rays and, mainly, in colonoscopy. This type of neoplasm tends to be more common after 50 years of age and in people with a family history of the problem.
What is the treatment for intestinal polyp?
It is important to know that the intestinal polyp is characterized as a benign neoplasm, that is, it is basically a type of wart that grows on the intestinal mucosa and does not present a risk to the person’s health. However, there is a possibility that it will mutate.
When not properly treated, some types of intestinal polyp can continue to grow and develop into a malignant tumor. Therefore, over time this small lump can lead to bowel cancer. Hence the importance of removing any polyp, even if it does not cause symptoms.
Currently, treatment has become easier due to the improvement of the colonoscopy technique. The equipment used ( colonoscopes ) transmit images with high resolution, allowing a more detailed analysis of the tissues. In addition, there is a wide variety of instruments that can be used in polypectomy, a technique for removing the polyp, with a low incidence of complications.
The intestinal polyp can also be removed by surgery. The indication will depend on the characteristics and location of the neoplasia, being recommended only for cases in which colonoscopy is in fact not possible or does not completely and safely remove the polyp.
Understand the difference between Polyps and Cancer by clicking here!
In summary, the intestinal polyp is generally not a serious problem, it does not usually affect the functioning of the intestine. However, as you have seen, it should not be ignored. If it keeps growing it may pose a risk of developing bowel cancer. Therefore , when diagnosed, it must be removed and, in cases of incidence in the family, it is important to maintain medical follow-up according to the recommendations of your specialist doctor.
