Polyps are growths of tissue that appear in the layers covering the surfaces of organs, usually as small, flat lumps or small mushroom-like stalks. They are usually small in size and appear in two different forms. These tissues, which are mostly benign, can become malignant if left untreated or not removed because they will grow after they develop.
The risk of the tissues turning into cancer varies depending on where it occurs, the cause of the formation and the time it is present. While they can be seen mostly in the intestine and uterus, they can be seen in organs in many parts of the body such as the ear, nose, throat, gall bladder and stomach.
What are the Symptoms of Polyps?
Tissues that can develop due to unknown causes and often do not require intervention do not cause serious health problems in most people. While people do not experience a complaint on this issue, it is mostly determined during examination and imaging due to different reasons. However, in some cases, it can negatively affect the individual's life. The increase in size leads to the emergence of symptoms and signs.
Stomach Polyps
This condition, which is caused by the tissues on the inner surface of the stomach, usually does not show any symptoms. They are revealed when the person is examined by endoscopy due to a different condition. After occurring in the stomach, redness or ulceration may occur on the inner surface. In such cases, the person may experience abdominal pain, stomach tenderness, nausea, anemia and blood in the stool.
Intestinal Polyps
It is known as very large growths on the inner surface of the intestine that progress slowly over time. Although they occur in the small intestine, they are usually observed in the large intestine and rectum. While the tissues in the colon and rectum are more common especially in old age and old age, they are an important risk factor for cancer formation. While most of these patients do not have any complaints, some people may have prolonged bleeding caused by the colon condition and anemia due to iron deficiency. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation.
Gallbladder Polyps
They are structures that originate from the layers covering the inner surface of the gallbladder and progress towards the gallbladder cavity. While there is no complaint due to this condition, they are often detected in diseases observed due to different disorders.
Endometrial Polyps
These conditions, which can occur in the cervix, usually develop in the lining of the uterus. Symptoms include bleeding, menstrual irregularities and infertility.
Nasal Polyps
They develop in the nose or around the sinuses. In people; They occur with symptoms observed in upper respiratory tract diseases such as decreased smell, nasal pain and ligament pain. They cause snoring during sleep.
Ear Polyps
While this condition occurs mostly in the ear canal, they occur with symptoms such as hearing problems and blood coming out of the ear.
What are the Causes of Polyps?
Although it is not known exactly why these conditions occur and due to which problem they are seen, some of the reasons that cause this situation are as follows:
- Having a structure suitable for development depending on genetic factors
- Infection
- Cysts or tumors
- The presence of a different object in the area of development
- Long-term inflammation in the stomach
- The hormone estrogen is normally at much higher levels
- Changing the genetics of cells in the colon
How are Polyps Diagnosed?
Stomach Polyps: They can be diagnosed by examination and gastroscopy by a specialist depending on the different disorders the person is experiencing.
Intestinal Polyps: The detection of this condition is provided by the colonoscopy procedure depending on some complaints experienced by the person or due to the emergence of a different situation.
Gallbladder Polyps: It is mostly diagnosed under ultrasonography examination due to a different problem. They can also be detected by MRI and tomography.
Endometrial Polyps: When symptoms such as bleeding and menstrual irregularities experienced by people without a certain time are transferred to the specialist doctor, the doctor performs the necessary examinations in the uterus and is usually detected by ultrasonography.
Nasal Polyps: The person should convey their complaints to the specialist doctor during the examination. When the doctor performs the necessary examinations and examinations and considers the possibility of this condition, the inside of the nose is visualized and detected with a camera endoscope.
Ear Polyps As seen in other types, the person should inform the relevant person about the complaints and complaints he/she experiences during the examination by the specialist. The specialist examines the inside of the ear with otoscope or endo-photoscope procedures when deemed necessary. As a result of the examinations, if there is this condition in the ear and middle ear canals, it is detected and the treatment process is started.
How is Polyp Treatment Performed?
The procedure to be applied in the treatment process may vary according to the location and size of the tissues. In addition, whether these tissues are benign or malignant may also differ in the treatment process. The treatments according to the location are as follows:
Stomach Polyps: The main factor determining the treatment process is the type of this condition. When tissues that may pose a cancer risk are found, they are sent to the laboratory for examination and treatment is planned according to the results. In cases that are not malignant and occur in small tissues, there is usually not much intervention. After the removal of tissues that pose a risk and are large in size, the stomach should be monitored at certain times.
Intestinal Polyps The tissues formed in these areas are usually determined by colonoscopy and removed by intervention by a specialist. Afterwards, they are sent to laboratory environments for examination and follow-up, while it is observed whether they carry a cancer risk. Early treatment and early removal reduces the risk of cancer. For this reason, colonoscopy is recommended for older people at regular intervals depending on the doctor's recommendation.
Gallbladder Polyps: Its size can be a factor in determining whether it is benign or malignant. These tissues on the gallbladder, which are about 10 mm or less in size, are unlikely to be malignant and usually do not require treatment. A general abdominal ultrasongraphy is performed and monitored. If there is an increase in size and number, it is treated and surgically removed as the risk of cancer formation increases.
Endometrial Polyps: The specialist doctor determines whether there is any condition after examining the uterus. In case of tissue formation, a sample of the tissue is taken and examined. When there is no complaint in the person, it is not necessary to treat and regular checks are requested. If there is severe bleeding due to these tissues and they interfere with pregnancy, they can be removed by surgery. The treatment of tissues that occur after menopause is surgical removal.
Nasal Polyps Medication is used to treat tissues that are small in size. These medications are used on the advice of a doctor and are usually in the form of sprays or tablets. In these cases, if the person is experiencing an infection, antibiotic treatment recommended by the doctor can be applied. It may be recommended to remove tissues that do not heal in drug treatment. If it can be removed by endoscopy, this method is usually preferable. In cases where it is not suitable, surgical intervention is required.
Ear Polyps Treatment applications are determined depending on the cause of formation in these areas. If there is an infection behind the problems, the doctor may apply antibiotic treatment to the person. In cases where this treatment does not provide improvement, a piece of tissue is taken from the tissue, examined and, if deemed necessary, can be removed by surgical operation.
Factors that may increase the risk of polyps
The risks vary depending on the person's age, genetic factors, gender, diseases, infections, infections, smoking and alcohol use.
For gastric polyps, risk factors include advanced age and old age, gastric infections caused by bacteria, prolonged use of certain medications and the presence of certain diseases in the family.
In endometrial polyps, the risk is higher in people over the age of 55-60, entering or ending menopause, and receiving hormone therapy.
In nasal polyps; sinus inflammation, asthma patients and people with allergy problems may be at increased risk.
In bladder polyps; the risk of occurrence increases in male individuals and especially in smokers.