Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPurpose of TestPossible RisksBefore the ProcedureDuring the ProcedureAfter the ProcedureInterpreting the ResultsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Purpose of Test
Possible Risks
Before the Procedure
During the Procedure
After the Procedure
Interpreting the Results
Frequently Asked Questions
Polypectomy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a specialist known as agastroenterologistremoves abnormal tissue growth, calledpolyps, from inside yourcolon(large intestine). The procedure is more accurately referred to as acolonic polypectomy.
Polypectomy is a routine part of a procedure known as acolonoscopyin which a long, flexible tube with a camera, called a colonoscope, is inserted into the rectum to view the colon. The aim of a polypectomy is to determine whether an abnormal growth is cancerous,precancerous, or non-cancerous.
This article explains the purpose and risks of a polypectomy and what actually occurs before, during, and after this common diagnostic procedure.
SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI / Getty Images
You may need a polypectomy if a polyp is found inside your colon during a routine colonoscopy. On occasion, polyps may be found during an imaging test such asultrasound,computed tomography (CT)scan, ormagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)scan.
While most polyps are benign, particularly smaller ones, they all theoretically have the potential to turn cancerous. This is especially true of polyps larger than 20 millimeters (3/4 of an inch) that have a 10% chance of being cancerous.
Not all polyps can be removed during a colonoscopy. Larger ones may require surgery, either in the form ofopen surgery(using a scalpel and a large incision) orlaparoscopic surgery(using smaller “keyhole” incisions and a specialized narrow scope and tools).
Generally speaking, any polyp that is more than one-third of the interior circumference of the colon needs to be removed surgically.
Risks and Contraindications
A polypectomy may cause bleeding, infection, orbowel perforation. If you take a blood thinner likewarfarin, you will typically be advised to temporarily stop the drug prior to the procedure.
If you have an intestinal infection, your healthcare provider will want you to wait until the infection has cleared before you have the procedure. The same is true if you have an active inflammatory bowel condition likeulcerative colitis.
Aperforation, in which the bowel is punctured, is a rare complication of polypectomy. If this happens, you will need emergency surgery to repair the colon.
Your healthcare provider will usually take the time to explain that a polypectomy may be needed during your colonoscopy.
Timing
A polypectomy takes about 20 minutes, but removing several polyps will take longer. You will be given medication that makes you a bit sleepy. Some people will continue to feel groggy from the medication until after a good night’s sleep, so be prepared to take it easy for the rest of the day after your procedure.
Location
A polypectomy is generally done in a gastrointestinal (GI) procedure suite that is equipped with a colonoscope, as well as a screen that your healthcare provider uses to visualize the images.
What to Wear
You can dress comfortably. You will be asked to undress from the waist down and to wear a gown throughout your procedure.
Food and Drink
To prepare for a polypectomy, you will be asked to undergothorough bowel preparationa day or two in advance to ensure that your colon is clear and free of any stool or residue. This can involve the use of a laxative, enema, and a clear food diet. A clear fluid diet includes clear broths, gelatin, and juice (without pulp).
Cost and Health Insurance
In general, most health plans cover colonoscopy and polypectomy, but you may need pre-authorization.If you are paying for the procedure out of pocket, the cost will be in the range of $1,500 to several thousand dollars.
What to Bring
You should be sure to have someone who can drive you home after the procedure, as you may be too groggy to drive safely.
Pre-Test
On the day of the procedure, you will have to sign in and fill out forms consenting to the procedure and payment.
Once you are prepped and dressed in a hospital gown, you will be laid on your side on the examining table with your knees pulled toward your chest.
Throughout the Procedure
When ready, the healthcare provider will insert a long, flexible colonoscope, which is connected to a camera, into your rectum. You may feel a slight pressure, but it shouldn’t hurt. Depending on the room setup, you may be able to see the screen that your healthcare provider is viewing.
Once your healthcare provider locates a polyp, you will have it removed with one of two different types of polypectomies:
You may have a local anesthetic injected into the area to prevent pain.
If you have bleeding, your healthcare provider may need to place a suture to stop the bleeding.
Post-Test
After your procedure, your healthcare provider will remove the colonoscope and give you a chance to change and rest. The medical staff will give you instructions explaining what to expect and the symptoms to look out for.
It is not unusual to feel groggy and unsteady on your feet. As such, it is advised that a friend or family member drive you home.
The polyps that were removed are sent to a pathology lab to assess whether there is any sign ofcolon cancer. Results are usually available within a few weeks.
While there is usually little pain following the removal of a smaller polyp, pain medication may be prescribed if the removal has been extensive or if your pain is severe. If you did not leave with a prescription but are experiencing pain, call your healthcare provider’s office to discuss your symptoms.
Possible Side EffectsIn addition to pain, possible side effects of a polypectomy include gas, bloating, cramps, and rectal bleeding. These side effects tend to be mild and usually resolve within 24 hours. You should also avoid driving or using heavy machinery for 24 hours due to the lingering effects of the anesthesia.
Possible Side Effects
In addition to pain, possible side effects of a polypectomy include gas, bloating, cramps, and rectal bleeding. These side effects tend to be mild and usually resolve within 24 hours. You should also avoid driving or using heavy machinery for 24 hours due to the lingering effects of the anesthesia.
The risks of polypectomy are similar to those of the colonoscopy and can include infection and perforation of the bowel. While these complications are considered rare, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Interpreting Results
The results of a polypectomy include a report about the type of lesion that was removed, as well as whether the whole lesion was removed or not. The report will also describe whether there were any cancerous or precancerous cells, or whether the tissue was completely normal.
With this, the report will include a description of whether themargins(the edges of the lesion) were normal or whether they contained cancerous or precancerous cells.
When there are areas of concern, normal margins suggest that the concerning areas were fully removed, while margins that contain worrisome cells suggest that the cancerous or precancerous lesions were not fully removed.
Precancerous or Cancerous Biopsy for Polyps: What Happens Next?
A polypectomy does not need to be regularly repeated. However, if there are areas of concern that were not fully removed, your healthcare provider may schedule you for another procedure to remove any remaining lesions or may order follow-up imaging studies.
If there was no evidence of cancer noted on your lab reports, you will need to continue to have routine colonoscopies.
Summary
A polypectomy is the removal of abnormal tissue growths known as polyps. A polypectomy is most often performed during a colonoscopy but may be used during surgery if a polyp is exceptionally large or complex.
A polypectomy is used to determine if the abnormal growth is benign, precancerous, or cancerous. While most polyps are benign, all have the potential to turn cancerous, particularly those that are larger.
A Word From Verywell
If your colonoscopy report states that no polyps were found, don’t presume that to mean that routine colonoscopies are somehow less important.
Some sessile polyps can be difficult to spot higher up in the colon, particularly if they are small. By keeping to the recommended colonoscopy schedule—every 10 years for people 45 to 75 who are at average risk of colon cancer—you can be better assured that any growths can be spotted and removed before they become serious.
Less invasive methods of screening likeCT colonographyand stool tests are also available, although they need to be repeated every three to five years.
Frequently Asked QuestionsA polypectomy is a routine procedure used to assess whether an abnormal growth in the colon is cancerous. Most polyps are not cancerous, but the procedure can catch colon cancer early if it is.Polypectomy is a minimally invasive procedure typically performed during a colonoscopy. It is not surgery per se but can be performed during surgery if a polyp is too large to be removed during a colonoscopy.Recovery from a polypectomy is generally quick, although you shouldn’t drive a car or use heavy machinery for 24 hours due to the after-effects of the anesthesia. Side effects like gas, bloating, and cramps tend to be mild and usually resolve within 24 hours.
A polypectomy is a routine procedure used to assess whether an abnormal growth in the colon is cancerous. Most polyps are not cancerous, but the procedure can catch colon cancer early if it is.
Polypectomy is a minimally invasive procedure typically performed during a colonoscopy. It is not surgery per se but can be performed during surgery if a polyp is too large to be removed during a colonoscopy.
Recovery from a polypectomy is generally quick, although you shouldn’t drive a car or use heavy machinery for 24 hours due to the after-effects of the anesthesia. Side effects like gas, bloating, and cramps tend to be mild and usually resolve within 24 hours.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Beth Israel Lahey Health, Winchester Hospital.Colon polypectomy.Geenen RW, Hussain SM, Cademartiri F, Poley JW, Siersema PD, Krestin GP.CT and MR colonography: scanning techniques, postprocessing, and emphasis on polyp detection.Radiographics. 2004;24(1):e18. doi:10.1148/rg.e18Herszényi L.The “difficult” colorectal polyps and adenomas: practical aspects.Dig Dis. 2019;37(5):394-399. doi:10.1159/000495694Bonnington SN, Rutter MD.Surveillance of colonic polyps: are we getting it right?World J Gastroenterol.2016 Feb 14;22(6):1925–34. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i6.1925Anderloni A, Jovani M, Hassan C, Repici A.Advances, problems, and complications of polypectomy.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2014;7:285-96. doi:10.2147/CEG.S43084Tholoor S, Tsagnournis O, Basford P, Bhandair P.Managing difficult polyps: techniques and pitfalls.Ann Gastroenterol.2013;26(2):114–21.University of Rochester Medical Center.Colorectal cancer: surgery.Yeo, CH, McFadden, D, Pemberton, JH, et al.Shackleford’s Surgry of the Alimentary Tract. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2012.Virginia Mason Medical Center.Complex polypectomy FAQs.Boston Children’s Hospital.Polypectomy procedure - FAQ.Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Preparing for a colonoscopy.American Cancer Society.Insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening.National Health Service.Bowel cancer screening: the colonoscopy investigation.American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer screening: ACS updates guideline for adults with average risk.Am Fam Physician.2019 Jan 15;99(2):129-130.American Cancer Society.Understanding your pathology report: colon polyps (sessile or traditional serrated adenomas).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Colorectal cancer screening tests.Additional ReadingQu J, Jian H, Li L, et al.Effectiveness and safety of cold versus hot snare polypectomy: A meta-analysis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018 Sep 3. doi:10.1111/jgh.14464Zago RR, Popoutchi P, Santana Nova da Costa L, Averbach M.Post-polypectomy surveillance interval based on flexible spectral color imaging enhancement (FICE) with magnifying zoom imaging for optical biopsy. Endosc Int Open. 2018;6(8):E1051-E1058. doi:10.1055/a-0629-8985.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Beth Israel Lahey Health, Winchester Hospital.Colon polypectomy.Geenen RW, Hussain SM, Cademartiri F, Poley JW, Siersema PD, Krestin GP.CT and MR colonography: scanning techniques, postprocessing, and emphasis on polyp detection.Radiographics. 2004;24(1):e18. doi:10.1148/rg.e18Herszényi L.The “difficult” colorectal polyps and adenomas: practical aspects.Dig Dis. 2019;37(5):394-399. doi:10.1159/000495694Bonnington SN, Rutter MD.Surveillance of colonic polyps: are we getting it right?World J Gastroenterol.2016 Feb 14;22(6):1925–34. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i6.1925Anderloni A, Jovani M, Hassan C, Repici A.Advances, problems, and complications of polypectomy.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2014;7:285-96. doi:10.2147/CEG.S43084Tholoor S, Tsagnournis O, Basford P, Bhandair P.Managing difficult polyps: techniques and pitfalls.Ann Gastroenterol.2013;26(2):114–21.University of Rochester Medical Center.Colorectal cancer: surgery.Yeo, CH, McFadden, D, Pemberton, JH, et al.Shackleford’s Surgry of the Alimentary Tract. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2012.Virginia Mason Medical Center.Complex polypectomy FAQs.Boston Children’s Hospital.Polypectomy procedure - FAQ.Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Preparing for a colonoscopy.American Cancer Society.Insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening.National Health Service.Bowel cancer screening: the colonoscopy investigation.American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer screening: ACS updates guideline for adults with average risk.Am Fam Physician.2019 Jan 15;99(2):129-130.American Cancer Society.Understanding your pathology report: colon polyps (sessile or traditional serrated adenomas).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Colorectal cancer screening tests.Additional ReadingQu J, Jian H, Li L, et al.Effectiveness and safety of cold versus hot snare polypectomy: A meta-analysis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018 Sep 3. doi:10.1111/jgh.14464Zago RR, Popoutchi P, Santana Nova da Costa L, Averbach M.Post-polypectomy surveillance interval based on flexible spectral color imaging enhancement (FICE) with magnifying zoom imaging for optical biopsy. Endosc Int Open. 2018;6(8):E1051-E1058. doi:10.1055/a-0629-8985.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Beth Israel Lahey Health, Winchester Hospital.Colon polypectomy.Geenen RW, Hussain SM, Cademartiri F, Poley JW, Siersema PD, Krestin GP.CT and MR colonography: scanning techniques, postprocessing, and emphasis on polyp detection.Radiographics. 2004;24(1):e18. doi:10.1148/rg.e18Herszényi L.The “difficult” colorectal polyps and adenomas: practical aspects.Dig Dis. 2019;37(5):394-399. doi:10.1159/000495694Bonnington SN, Rutter MD.Surveillance of colonic polyps: are we getting it right?World J Gastroenterol.2016 Feb 14;22(6):1925–34. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i6.1925Anderloni A, Jovani M, Hassan C, Repici A.Advances, problems, and complications of polypectomy.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2014;7:285-96. doi:10.2147/CEG.S43084Tholoor S, Tsagnournis O, Basford P, Bhandair P.Managing difficult polyps: techniques and pitfalls.Ann Gastroenterol.2013;26(2):114–21.University of Rochester Medical Center.Colorectal cancer: surgery.Yeo, CH, McFadden, D, Pemberton, JH, et al.Shackleford’s Surgry of the Alimentary Tract. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2012.Virginia Mason Medical Center.Complex polypectomy FAQs.Boston Children’s Hospital.Polypectomy procedure - FAQ.Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Preparing for a colonoscopy.American Cancer Society.Insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening.National Health Service.Bowel cancer screening: the colonoscopy investigation.American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer screening: ACS updates guideline for adults with average risk.Am Fam Physician.2019 Jan 15;99(2):129-130.American Cancer Society.Understanding your pathology report: colon polyps (sessile or traditional serrated adenomas).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Colorectal cancer screening tests.
Beth Israel Lahey Health, Winchester Hospital.Colon polypectomy.
Geenen RW, Hussain SM, Cademartiri F, Poley JW, Siersema PD, Krestin GP.CT and MR colonography: scanning techniques, postprocessing, and emphasis on polyp detection.Radiographics. 2004;24(1):e18. doi:10.1148/rg.e18
Herszényi L.The “difficult” colorectal polyps and adenomas: practical aspects.Dig Dis. 2019;37(5):394-399. doi:10.1159/000495694
Bonnington SN, Rutter MD.Surveillance of colonic polyps: are we getting it right?World J Gastroenterol.2016 Feb 14;22(6):1925–34. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i6.1925
Anderloni A, Jovani M, Hassan C, Repici A.Advances, problems, and complications of polypectomy.Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2014;7:285-96. doi:10.2147/CEG.S43084
Tholoor S, Tsagnournis O, Basford P, Bhandair P.Managing difficult polyps: techniques and pitfalls.Ann Gastroenterol.2013;26(2):114–21.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Colorectal cancer: surgery.
Yeo, CH, McFadden, D, Pemberton, JH, et al.Shackleford’s Surgry of the Alimentary Tract. Oxford, UK: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2012.
Virginia Mason Medical Center.Complex polypectomy FAQs.
Boston Children’s Hospital.Polypectomy procedure - FAQ.
Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Preparing for a colonoscopy.
American Cancer Society.Insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening.
National Health Service.Bowel cancer screening: the colonoscopy investigation.
American Cancer Society.Colorectal cancer screening: ACS updates guideline for adults with average risk.Am Fam Physician.2019 Jan 15;99(2):129-130.
American Cancer Society.Understanding your pathology report: colon polyps (sessile or traditional serrated adenomas).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Colorectal cancer screening tests.
Qu J, Jian H, Li L, et al.Effectiveness and safety of cold versus hot snare polypectomy: A meta-analysis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018 Sep 3. doi:10.1111/jgh.14464Zago RR, Popoutchi P, Santana Nova da Costa L, Averbach M.Post-polypectomy surveillance interval based on flexible spectral color imaging enhancement (FICE) with magnifying zoom imaging for optical biopsy. Endosc Int Open. 2018;6(8):E1051-E1058. doi:10.1055/a-0629-8985.
Qu J, Jian H, Li L, et al.Effectiveness and safety of cold versus hot snare polypectomy: A meta-analysis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018 Sep 3. doi:10.1111/jgh.14464
Zago RR, Popoutchi P, Santana Nova da Costa L, Averbach M.Post-polypectomy surveillance interval based on flexible spectral color imaging enhancement (FICE) with magnifying zoom imaging for optical biopsy. Endosc Int Open. 2018;6(8):E1051-E1058. doi:10.1055/a-0629-8985.
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