Colorectal Polyps: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Colorectal Polyps?
Colorectal polyps are usually found and removed by a gastroenterologist (a digestive system doctor). A colorectal surgeon (a surgeon for the colon and rectum) may help when a polyp is large. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are colorectal polyps?
A colorectal polyp is a growth on the lining of the colon or rectum. You can have more than one colon polyp. Polyps of the colon and rectum are most often benign, which means they are not a cancer.
Adenomatous polyps are a common type. They are also called adenomas. A villous adenoma is more likely to become a cancer. Hyperplastic polyps rarely, if ever, develop into cancer. Serrated polyps are less common, but may develop into cancer over time. Polyps that are 1 centimeter or larger have a higher cancer risk than smaller polyps.
Colon polyps are common in American adults. Anywhere between 15 and 40 percent of adults may have colon polyps.
Symptoms
Most people with colon polyps don't have symptoms. When colon polyps do cause symptoms, you may have bleeding from your rectum. You might notice blood on your underwear or on toilet paper after a bowel movement.
- Blood in your stool, which can make stool look black or show up as red streaks.
- Feeling tired because of anemia, which means not enough iron in your body.
- Constipation or diarrhea lasting more than a week.
Many other health problems can also cause these symptoms.
Causes and who gets it
Experts aren't sure what causes colon polyps. Polyps become more common with age. You may have a greater chance of developing polyps if you:
- Are age 45 or older.
- Have someone in your family who has had polyps or colorectal cancer.
- Have inflammatory bowel disease, like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
- Have obesity.
- Smoke cigarettes.
A small number of people with polyps may also be linked to some inherited disorders. One of these is familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors can find colon polyps only by using certain tests or procedures, such as a colonoscopy or imaging study. Your doctor may first take a medical and family history and perform a physical exam. A large polyp in the rectum may be felt during a rectal exam.
- A colonoscopy uses a long, flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny camera, called a colonoscope, to look inside your rectum and colon.
- A virtual colonoscopy uses x-rays and a computer to create images of your rectum and colon from outside the body.
- Doctors can't remove polyps during a virtual colonoscopy.
Treatment
Doctors treat colon polyps by removing them. In most cases, doctors use special tools during a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy to remove colon polyps. After doctors remove the polyp, they send it for testing to check for cancer. Doctors can remove almost all polyps without surgery. In rare cases, the provider will recommend a partial colectomy. This may be because the polyps are very likely to turn into cancer or too large to remove during colonoscopy. This is surgery to remove part of the colon that has the polyps.
The outlook is excellent if the polyps are removed. Polyps that are not removed can develop into cancer over time. If you have colon polyps, your doctor will ask you to get tested regularly in the future. This is because you have a higher chance of developing more polyps.
When to see a doctor
If you have bleeding from your rectum or blood in your stool, contact your doctor right away. After a polyp is removed, call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms:
- Fever.
- Dizziness.
- Weakness.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have severe belly pain, fainting, or bleeding that will not stop.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Screening is testing for diseases when you have no symptoms. Finding and removing polyps can help prevent colorectal cancer.
Common questions
Are colorectal polyps cancer?
Most are not. Most polyps are not cancerous, but some may turn into cancer over time.
Do colorectal polyps cause symptoms?
Most do not. Most people with colon polyps don't have symptoms. Bleeding from your rectum or blood in your stool should be checked by your doctor right away.
How are colorectal polyps removed?
Doctors usually remove them during a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy. Doctors can remove almost all polyps without surgery.
Can colorectal polyps come back?
Yes, people with adenomatous polyps can get new polyps in the future. You should have a repeat colonoscopy, usually 1 to 10 years later. The timing depends on your age and general health, the number of polyps you had, the size and type of the polyps, and your family history of polyps or cancer.
When should I start screening for colorectal cancer?
Doctors recommend screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 45 for people without added risk. If you are at higher risk for colorectal cancer, your doctor may recommend screening at a younger age.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Colorectal polyps
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Colon Polyps
- MedlinePlus - Colonic Polyps
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
