polyps

Definition: A polyp is an abnormal growth of tissue projecting from a mucous membrane.

If it is attached to the surface by a narrow elongated stalk, it is said to be pedunculated. If no stalk is present, it is said to be sessile.

Polyps are commonly found in the colon, stomach, nose, ear, sinus(es), urinary bladder, and uterus.

They may also occur elsewhere in the body where mucous membranes exist like the cervix, vocal folds, and small intestine.

Some polyps are tumors (neoplasms) and others are non-neoplastic (for example, hyperplastic or dysplastic).

The neoplastic ones are generally benign, although some can be premalignant and/or concurrent with a malignancy.

Types

 fibroepithelial polyps
 inflammatory polyp / inflammatory pseudopolyp
 inflammatory fibroid polyp

 adenomatous polyps
 hamartomatous polyps

• juvenile polyp
• Peutz-Jeghers polyp

 benign fibroblastic polyp
 digestive stromal polyp
 tumoral polyp

Localization

 nasal polyps

• nasal inflammatory pseudopolyp (allergic polyp )

 digestive polyps

• gastric polyps
  • fundic gland polyp

• intestinal polyps (small intestine polyps )
• colorectal polyps

 uterine polyps

• uterine cervical polyp : exocervical polyp / endocervical polyp
• endometrial polyp

See also

 pseudopolyp
 polyposis

• digestive polyposis syndromes
  • hereditary mixed polyposis syndrome
  • familial adenomatous polyposis
  • juvenile polyposis