Most people with polyps won't be aware of them as they produce no symptoms and are often discovered by accident. However, some larger polyps can cause: a small amount of rectal bleeding (blood in your stool) mucus to be produced when you open your bowels.
They're often picked up during screening for bowel cancer. But some larger polyps can cause: a small amount of slime (mucus) or blood in your poo (rectal bleeding) diarrhoea or constipation.
Changes in Bowel Movements – Sometimes colon polyps can lead to constipation or diarrhea that persists for longer than a week, as well as general changes in bowel habits. Changes in Stool Color – Blood can wind up in your stool, often causing your stool to appear black or much darker in color.
Some polyps can cause bleeding, mucous discharge (drainage), changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea), or abdominal pain.
Symptoms and Causes
Bleeding after sex. Abnormal vaginal bleeding, like between periods or after menopause. Foul-smelling or pus-like white or yellow vaginal discharge.
Most polyps do not cause symptoms. When they do, the most common symptom is bleeding from the rectum. A large polyp may cause cramps, abdominal pain, obstruction, or intussusception. The affected segments block the bowel and block blood flow.
Larger amounts of mucus in stool, associated with diarrhea, may be caused by certain intestinal infections. Bloody mucus in stool, or mucus accompanied by abdominal pain, can represent more serious conditions — Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and even cancer.
Pain. Persistent pain in the abdomen usually occurs with a large polyp as it begins to cause an obstruction in the colon.
Most people with colon polyps have no symptoms and don't know they have them. But if you have symptoms — like rectal bleeding, blood in your stools, or other bowel changes — you should see your provider.
How long does it take for a polyp to turn into cancer? The growth and mutation of colon polyps into cancer is a slow process, taking an estimated 10 years on average. So as long as patients are screened, it is unlikely they will develop cancerous polyps.
In 1 to 7 years, depending on a variety of factors: The number, size and type of polyps removed; if you have a history of polyps in previous colonoscopy procedures; if you have certain genetic syndromes; or if you have a family history of colon cancer.
Most polyps grow slowly and take from between 10 and 15 years to become cancerous. Due to this general time frame, most screenings are scheduled every 10 years which gives Colorectal Surgical Associates time to remove any polyps before they become cancerous.
Stomach polyps usually don't cause symptoms. But as a stomach polyp enlarges, open sores called ulcers can develop on its surface. Rarely, the polyp can block the opening between your stomach and your small intestine.
A polyp is the result of genetic changes in the cells of the colon lining that affect the normal cell life cycle. Many factors can increase the risk or rate of these changes. Factors are related to your diet, lifestyle, older age, gender and genetics or hereditary issues.
The growth of cancerous or non-cancerous tumors or polyps may cause a narrowing of the rectum, that is thought to result in thin or narrowed stool.
Colon polyps and diverticulitis have similar symptoms that include: Abdominal pain. Bloating. Constipation.
Mucus produced by glands in the rectum also helps expel stool. So it's not unusual for your stool to contain mucus. But if you notice an unusual amount, it might be a sign of something else: infection, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, anal or rectal issues, or even cancer.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
People living with IBS may notice whitish mucus in their stool. Other common symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain and changes in bowel movements, such as constipation and diarrhea.
Pain. Large polyps can obstruct the bowel and cause abdominal pain or cramping. Bleeding. Small tears in your anus or hemorrhoids can lead to blood after a bowel movement.
Bowel polyps are not usually cancerous, although if they're discovered they'll need to be removed, as some will eventually turn into cancer if left untreated. Some people just develop one polyp, while others may have a few. They tend to occur in people over the age of 60.
Screening methods include: Colonoscopy, the most sensitive test for colorectal polyps and cancer. If polyps are found, your doctor may remove them immediately or take tissue samples (biopsies) for analysis. Virtual colonoscopy ( CT colonography), a minimally invasive test that uses a CT scan to view your colon.
Symptoms of Cervical Polyps
Some polyps bleed between menstrual periods or after intercourse. Rarely, polyps become infected, causing a puslike discharge from the vagina. Polyps are usually reddish pink and less than 1/2 inch (about 1 centimeter) in diameter.
However, polyps are quite fragile and if they have blood vessels within them, they are prone to bleeding. In this way, they can sometimes cause irregular vaginal bleeding (in between periods, during or after intercourse or after menopause) and/or abnormal vaginal discharge (brown, red or yellow).