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Colorectal polypectomy
Make it clearer
A colorectal polypectomy is simply the removal of a polyp, one of those growths that appear on the wall of the colon or the rectum. It is usually done at the very moment someone is looking inside, during a colonoscopy, so finding it and taking it out happen in the same session, like spotting something broken during an inspection and repairing it right there instead of coming back another day.
What comes next is not decided at random: it is decided by three pieces of information. First, the histology, which is what the tissue looks like under the microscope. Second, whether the polyp came out whole or something was left behind. And third, how well things could be seen during the exam, because a poor-quality look does not offer the same certainty as one where everything was seen clearly.
In brief
A colorectal polypectomy removes a polyp from the colon or the rectum. It is often done during a colonoscopy.
What happens next depends on three things: the microscopic findings, known as the histology; whether the polyp was removed completely; and the quality of the examination.
Sources (2)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesColonoscopy
- U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal CancerFollow-up after colonoscopy and polypectomyPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
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