What it means
A small lump of tissue, often on a stalk, that grows from a mucous membrane. Most polyps are not cancer. Some colon polyps (adenomas) can slowly turn into cancer, which is why they are looked for and removed during a colonoscopy. Polyps in the nose can block breathing, and polyps in the uterus can cause abnormal bleeding.
At a glance
| Spanish | pólipo |
|---|---|
| Also written | polyps |
Related terms
screening test
A test given to people who have no symptoms, to find a disease or risk early.
colon cancer
Cancer that starts in the colon, the main part of the large intestine.
adenoma
A tumor of gland tissue that is not cancer.