What is a polyp?

A polyp is a growth on or in your body. Most polyps are benign. This means they are not cancerous. Some are precancerous, which means that they can turn into cancer over time. Others may be malignant, which means a cancer that can spread.

'Pedunculated' polyps are attached to a stalk. 'Sessile' polyps stick out without a stalk.

You can have polyps in or on your:

• ear, nose or throat
• uterus or cervix
• gallbladder
• lining of your stomach and intestines
• bladder
• skin

What are the symptoms of polyps?

If you have a polyp, your symptoms depend on what type of polyp you have and where it is in your body. Polyps do not always cause symptoms.

Ear canal polyps

Polyps in your ear could cause hearing loss or bloody discharge from your ear. It could be a sign you have a cholesteatoma.

Cervical polyps

Polyps in your cervix may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding and discharge. Often, they do not cause any symptoms.

Colorectal polyps

Colorectal polyps grow on the lining of your colon (colonic polyps) or rectum (rectal polyps).

They may cause:

• blood in your stool
• abdominal pain
• constipation or diarrhoea

Nasal polyps

Polyps in your nose may cause:

• symptoms of a cold that won't go away
• loss of smell
• pain in your nose
• sinus infections

Your symptoms might get worse if you have allergies or sinusitis.

Throat polyps

Polyps in your throat may grow on your vocal cords.

They may cause:

• a hoarse and breathy voice
• a feeling that you have a lump in your throat
• you to feel like you need to clear your throat a lot

Endometrial (uterine) polyps

Polyps in your uterus develop in your endometrium, which is the lining of your uterus (womb). Sometimes they can become cancerous.

They may cause:

• heavy periods
• bleeding between periods or after intercourse (sex)
• difficulty becoming pregnant

Bladder polyps

Polyps in your bladder may cause:

• blood in your urine
• pain when you urinate
• frequent urination

Gastric polyps

There are different types of polyps that can grow in your stomach, Polyps in your stomach do not usually cause any symptoms. Sometimes they can cause:

• pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract (gut)

Gallbladder polyps

Polyps in your gallbladder usually don't cause symptoms. They are rarely cancerous.

Skin tags

Skin tags grow on your skin. They are sometimes called fibroepithelial polyps. They don't cause any problems.

What causes polyps?

Polyps are caused by abnormal growth of cells. Often there is no obvious cause.

When should I see my doctor?

See your doctor if you have any worrying symptoms, such as:

• blood in your stools
• blood in your urine
• unusual vaginal bleeding

How are polyps diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose a polyp by:

• asking you about your medical history and your symptoms
• examining you
• doing medical tests, depending on the polyp they are diagnosing, such as an ultrasound, colonoscopy or hysteroscopy

If your finds a polyp, they may recommend a biopsy. If the polyp is difficult to reach, you might need a procedure such a gastroscopy, colonoscopy or hysteroscopy to get the biopsy.

Sometimes, you may find out you have a polyp as a result of a screening test. For example, you can learn you have a bowel polyp during a faecal occult blood test (poo test) used to screen for bowel cancer. A cervical polyp can be found during a routine cervical screening test.

How are polyps treated?

Treatment for your polyp will depend on:

• the type of polyp you have
• what part of your body it's in
• if your polyp is cancerous
• how many polyps you have
• their size

Sometimes, you will need treatment to improve symptoms. Some polyps need to be removed, while others should be monitored to reduce your risk of cancer.

Examples of some treatments include the following:

Uterine polyps

If your uterine polyp is causing symptoms, your doctor may prescribe medicines to relieve them. If your polyps are causing fertility problems, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove them.

Colorectal polyps

Colorectal polyps may be removed during a colonoscopy.

Gallbladder polyps

If the polyps in your gallbladder are larger than 10mm, your doctor may recommend removing them with surgery. If your polyps are smaller, your doctor will check them regularly.

Throat polyps

Polyps growing in your vocal cords in your throat can be treated with:

• resting your voice and avoid shouting
• drinking plenty of water
• treating reflux, if you have it
• having voice therapy with a speech pathologist
• surgery

What are the complications of polyps?

Whilst most polyps are benign, some may turn into cancer if they are not removed quickly enough.

For example, most bowel cancers start off as harmless polyps. If they are not discovered and removed, they can turn into cancer.

Can polyps be prevented?

You can't prevent most types of polyps. The best way to check for polyps is to visit your doctor regularly for health checks. This way, your doctor can find and treat polyps early.

All Australians aged 45 to 74 years should do a screening test for bowel cancer every 2 years.

All people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 years are recommended to have a cervical screening test every 5 years.

If you have a family history of polyps or certain genetic conditions, you may have a higher chance of getting polyps. If you are at risk, talk to your doctor about how to prevent them. Your doctor might suggest you have other regular screening tests.

You can lower your risk of some polyps and cancers by:

• eating a healthy diet
• exercising regularly
• losing weight, if you live with overweight
• avoiding smoking
• limiting alcohol

Read more about health checks, screenings and tests.

Resources and support

• Read more about polyps on the Cancer Council website.
• Visit Jean Hailes to learn more about cervical and uterine polyps.
• Learn about screening and health checks you are recommended to do.
• Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 at any time to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) for more information and advice.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

Learn more about bowel cancer screening tests on the Cancer Council website, which is translated into many foreign languages.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) has published a guide answering frequently asked questions about bowel cancer screening for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.