Introduction
Polyps are overgrowths of tissues that can occur in any area of the body, even inside the tooth (pulp polyp). Some of them usually persist as unusual growths without any clinical manifestations, but some of them may become inflamed. Inflammatory polyps are one of them. These are noncancerous growths that can form in the stomach, generally in the colon and rectum. Inflammation that persists in the digestive tract is the root cause of most cases of these conditions. Even though they typically do not cause cancer, they may cause discomfort and necessitate treatment.
What Does an Inflammatory Polyp Mean?
A growth that develops in the lining of the colon or rectum and is composed of inflammatory tissue is referred to as an inflammatory polyp. Inflammatory polyps can either be sessile (without stalk) or pedunculated (with stalk), and their size can range from very small to quite large. People who have had inflammatory bowel disease in the past or chronic inflammation in the digestive tract are most likely to have it. Inflammatory bowel disease can also cause chronic inflammation in the digestive tract.
What Causes Inflammatory Polyps?
The Inflammatory polyps' precise origin is still unknown. Nonetheless, studies suggest that chronic inflammation in the colon's lining may play a role in their occurrence. Individuals who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are at increased risk for developing inflammatory polyps in the colon and rectum. People who have a history in their family of colon polyps or colon cancer may also have an increased likelihood of developing inflammatory polyps in their colon. In addition to this, the result of one study found that inflammatory polyps are even more common in ulcerative colitis than in Crohn’s disease.
Furthermore, some researchers suggest that any condition that causes prolonged inflammation or tissue injury plays a primary role in the development of inflammatory polyps. Constipation or infection may also lead to inflammatory polyps.
Additional risk factors that may result in inflammatory polyps include smoking, being overweight, leading a sedentary lifestyle, and eating a diet that is rich in fat but low in fiber. However, additional research is required to obtain a complete understanding of the connection between these factors and the development of inflammatory polyps.
However, not all polyps are associated with inflammation. While genetic mutations may be the root of some polyps, others may have no known origin. People over the age of 50, as well as those who are at higher risk due to family history or other factors, are encouraged to undergo routine screening for colon polyps.
What Does an Inflammatory Polyp Look Like?
Although inflammatory polyps come in a huge range of shapes and sizes, they are mostly small, slightly raised bumps that appear on the colon or rectum lining and are colored red or pink. Their sizes can vary from a few millimeters to several centimeters, and their surfaces can be smooth or slightly irregular. There are two types: sessile and pedunculated. Sessile forms are flat and attached to the colon wall, while pedunculated forms stand on their own.
Because inflammatory polyps may not cause symptoms, regular screening for colon polyps is recommended for people who are at high risk. If an individual is experiencing symptoms such as rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain or cramping, or unexplained weight loss, they should consult a doctor.
How Is an Inflammatory Polyp Diagnosed?
During a procedure which is called a colonoscopy, a small sample of tissue is typically removed from the intestine in order to make a diagnosis of an inflammatory polyp. Inflammatory polyps are typically simple for a doctor to remove because they are visible and protrude from the inner surface of the colon. The doctor can easily see them and take a sample for further tests. Polypectomy or biopsy are both terms that can be employed to describe the procedure for removing them. A pathologist will then further examine the tissue under a microscope after it has been transported.
Are Inflammatory Polyps Cancerous?
The majority of the time, inflammatory polyps are not cancerous; however, it may be challenging to differentiate them from other kinds of polyps or abnormal growths in the colon. For this reason, if a polyp is found during a colonoscopy or any other diagnostic test, it is typically removed and sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine its type as well as whether or not it is cancerous.
How Common Are Inflammatory Polyps?
Though uncommon in the general population, inflammatory polyps are more prevalent among individuals who have inflammatory bowel disease. It is believed that up to 10% of people with inflammatory bowel disease also develop inflammatory polyps.
Are Inflammatory Polyps Painful?
In most cases, patients with inflammatory polyps do not experience any pain. If they get big enough, however, they can cause pain, bleeding, and other symptoms.
Do Inflammatory Polyps Bleed?
Even though bleeding is not a common sign of inflammatory polyps, it can happen sometimes. Bleeding from an inflammatory polyp can sometimes be confused with bleeding from another source, such as cancerous growth. Again, this is only possible in rare cases.
How Is an Inflammatory Polyp Treated?
The ultimate treatment for an inflammatory polyp is its removal. For its removal, the most commonly used procedures are endoscopic removal or polypectomy. This requires the use of an endoscope, which is a device that has a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at the end). This allows the polyp to be located and removed. During the procedure, a specialized instrument is inserted through the endoscope in order to cut the polyp from its base. This is mostly done under sedation or general anesthesia to lower the discomfort.
Following the excision of the polyp, it will be evaluated in a laboratory to establish whether or not it is cancerous. Surgical removal of the polyp may be required if a biopsy reveals cancerous cells or if endoscopic removal is unsuccessful. In addition to their removal, the physician may also recommend a surveillance colonoscopy to monitor for the recurrence of inflammatory polyps. To completely stop the growth of polyps, it is necessary to treat any underlying conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, that may have contributed to their development.
Conclusion
To conclude, inflammatory polyps should not be ignored, as they can increase in size and be problematic. Individuals who are at risk or have a positive family history should seriously get their regular screening done as a preventive measure. Finally, no symptom should be ignored, even if it is long-term constipation.
