Polypectomy: Polyp Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatments

A polypectomy is a medical procedure conducted to remove a polyp. This is tissue growth that develops inside an organ or within a cavity in the human body.

Polyps can be malignant or benign. If not removed sooner, they can turn cancerous, though some do go away on their own. If diagnosed early, your medical provider can suggest proper action.

This may include a polypectomy.

Polyp symptoms

Polyps are tissue growths. They tend to resemble tiny, flat-looking, or mushroom-like growths with a stalk. They are usually less than half an inch wide.

The most common type of polyps develops in the uterus and colon. They can also develop in the ear canal, cervix, stomach, nose, and throat.

Polyp symptoms completely depend on their location and size. Here’s a rundown of symptoms:

• Colon, large intestine, rectum: constipation, abdominal pain, blood in stool, diarrhoea
• Uterine lining: Vaginal bleeding, irregular menstrual bleeding, infertility
• Cervix: Usually no symptoms. Can result in heavy menstrual bleeding or sexual intercourse, or unusual vaginal discharge
• Stomach lining: Tenderness, bleeding, vomiting, nausea
• Nose or close to sinuses: Loss of smell, nose pain, headache
• Ear canal: Loss of hearing and blood drainage from the ear
• Vocal cords: Voice is hoarse voice in a period of days to weeks
• Bladder lining: Frequent and painful urination, blood in urine
• Gallbladder lining: Bloating, pain in the right abdomen, nausea, and difficulty in eating

Causes of polyp growth

One trigger for the growth of polyps is a family history of certain syndromes. Other causes can include inflammation, the presence of a tumour, a cyst, a foreign object, genetic mutation in the colon cells, long-drawn stomach inflammation, and excess estrogen hormone.

Common polyp syndromes include:

• Lynch syndrome: Polyps tend to develop in the colon and can quickly turn cancerous. It can lead to tumours in the breast, stomach, small intestine, urinary tract, and ovaries.
• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP): This rare disorder triggers the development of up to thousands of polyps on the colon lining during teenage. It increases the risks of colon cancer
• Gardner’s syndrome: Polyps can develop throughout the colon and small intestine, as well as noncancerous tumours in the skin, bones, and abdomen.
• MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP): Mutations in the MYH gene cause the development of multiple noncancerous polyps and colon cancer at a young age.
• Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: The body develops freckles all over, including feet, lips, and gums, and noncancerous polyps throughout the intestines, which can become malignant, later on
• Serrated polyposis syndrome: It leads to multiple, noncancerous polyps in the early part of the colon, which can turn cancerous over time.

Diagnosis of polyps 

Your medical care provider will perform a number of physical exams and tests that can zero in on the exact location, size, and type of polyp.

They will do imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasounds, and CT scans, to confirm the location and size of the polyps. Post location, they will conduct procedures to extract a sample, which will then be tested for malignancy.

• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy or endoscopy: To extract a sample from the small bowel and stomach
• Biopsy: For areas of the body that are easier to access
• Colonoscopy: Sample extraction for polyps in the colon
• A mirror is held in the back of the mouth to extract samples of polyps on the vocal cords
• Nasal endoscopy: To check polyps in the nasal cavity

Treatment of polyps that reduce fertility

The treatment for polyps varies widely depending on location, size, and type. Once your doctor identifies the exact characteristics, he will be in a position to remove them.

For example, polyps in the throat tend to be harmless and often go away on their own. Rest and voice therapy is recommended to expedite their departure.

In some cases, the doctor will proceed to surgically remove polyps to ensure against any development of cancer in the future.

The polypectomy surgery procedures vary based on the location of the polyp. Here is a look at three types of polyp growth that specifically impact fertility:

• Hysteroscopic polypectomy: Removal of polyp inside the uterus. Polyps can potentially block the fallopian tubes, thus preventing the sperm from reaching the ovum for fertilization. The presence of polyps in the uterus can increase the potential for miscarriages; hence, they are best removed.
• Cervical polypectomy: Removal of polyp in the cervix, the lower end of the uterus, which connects it to the vagina. The cervix is about 2.5 to 3.5 centimetres and enables the passage of menstrual blood into the vagina and the foetus to pass from the uterus into the vagina during the birthing process.
• Endometrial polypectomy: Removal of polyps on the uterine lining. A study proved that the chances of pregnancy increased by 78% once polyps were removed from the uterine lining.

Treatment of other types of polyps 

Polyps may be a founder in several other critical organs. It is extremely important to detect if the polyp is cancerous and get treatment from a specialist immediately.

Other types of polypectomy are as follows:

• Nasal polypectomy: Removal of polyp in the nasal passages and near sinuses
• Rectal polypectomy: Removal of polyps in the rectum
• Colonoscopic polypectomy: Removal of polyps in the colon
• Cold Snare polypectomy: Removal of very tiny polyps of less than 5 mm, to reduce future incidence and mortality rate of colorectal cancer

Takeaway 

Polypectomy surgery conducted in the uterus, uterine lining and cervix plays an important role in increasing fertility rates and the potential for conception and safe delivery. Pregnancy can be achieved through natural pregnancy, intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization.

Make sure you consult a fertility specialist who can recommend holistic treatment in line with your fertility goals. To know more about polyps and polypectomy, visit Birla Fertility and IVF Clinic, or book an appointment with Dr. Shilpa Singhal.

FAQs:

1. What is a polypectomy?

Polypectomy is the surgical removal of a polyp, a type of tissue growth. The most common types are uterine polypectomies (removal of polyps developed on the uterine lining) and colon polypectomies (removal of polyps developed inside the colon).

2. How do I know which type of polypectomy is needed? 

It depends on the location of the polyp in the human body, the size, whether it is malignant or benign, as well as the history of cancer in your family. Your medical care provider will determine all the facts and then recommend a course of treatment. This may include a polypectomy meaning surgery to remove the polyps.

3. Can polypectomy increase fertility? 

Polyps that grow in the uterus, cervix, and uterine lining increase the chances of infertility as they cause blockages in important processes such as menstruation and fertilization. Hysteroscopic polypectomy, cervical polypectomy and endometrial polypectomy remove the polyps causing the blockages and hence, increase chances of pregnancy.

4. Can polypectomy increase the chances of natural birth? 

Yes, it can. However, if natural birth does not occur, a procedure like intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization can be pursued for pregnancy.