The sessile polyp is a type of polyp that has a broader base than normal. Polyps are produced by abnormal tissue growth on the wall of an organ, such as the intestines, stomach or uterus, but they can also arise in the ear or throat, for example.
Although they can be an early sign of cancer, polyps do not always have a negative prognosis and can often be removed without any change to a person's health.
When the polyp can be cancer
Polyps are almost always considered an early sign of cancer, however, this is not always true, as there are several types of polyp, various locations and specific characteristics, and only after looking at all these topics can we assess the risk of being able become cancer.
Depending on the location and type of cell that forms the polyp tissue, it can be classified into:
- Sessile sawdust: presents a saw-like appearance, is considered a pre-cancerous type and, therefore, must be removed; Viloso: has a high risk of being cancer and usually appears in cases of colon cancer; Tubular: it is the most common type of polyp and generally has a very low risk of being cancer; Tubulo-villous: they have a growth pattern similar to tubular and villous adenoma and, therefore, their degree of malignancy may vary.
Since most polyps have some risk of becoming cancer, even if low, they must be completely removed after being diagnosed, to prevent them from growing and may develop some type of cancer.
How the treatment is done
Treatment of polyps is almost always done during diagnosis. As it is more common for polyps to appear in the intestine or stomach, the doctor usually uses the endoscopy or colonoscopy device to remove the polyp from the organ wall.
However, if the polyp is very large, it may be necessary to schedule surgery to remove it completely. During the removal, a cut is made in the organ wall and, therefore, there is a risk of bleeding and hemorrhage, and the endoscopy doctor is prepared to contain the bleeding.
Understand better how endoscopy and colonoscopy are performed.
Who is most at risk of having a polyp
The causes of the polyp are not yet known, especially when it is not produced by cancer, however, there seem to be some factors that increase the risk of developing, such as:
- Being obese; Eating a high-fat, low-fiber diet; Consuming a lot of red meat; Being over 50 years old; Having a family history of polyps; Using cigarettes or alcohol; Having gastroesophageal reflux disease or gastritis.
In addition, people who have high-calorie diets and who do not exercise often, also appear to have a higher risk of developing a polyp.
