Complications and Prognosis

Polyps may cause complications like bleeding, obstruction, diarrhea, and development of cancer. Polypectomy rarely causes complications.

Complications

Polyps may cause complications like bleeding, obstruction, diarrhea, and development of cancer. Polypectomy rarely causes complications. Uncommon complications include bleeding, and rarely perforation in the intestine.

Prognosis

Colonic polyps are curable if removed. Failure to treat polyps may result in complications. The growth of polyps is extremely slow. It is estimated that a small colonic polyp takes about 10 years to develop cancer. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) however evolved more rapidly.