A deformity of the gastrointestinal tract lining which protrudes into the interior or lumen and which appears to be abnormal tissue is termed a polyp.  The term “polyp” is a general descriptive term that is applied to both those with the potential to become malignant or cancerous and to those which do not.

The benign growths from which most cancers  (adenocarcinoma) develop in the digestive tract are called adenomas.  In the large intestine these typically develop as polyps (that is they are abnormal tissue protruding from the lining).  The purpose of identifying those individuals who may be forming colorectal adenomas is to both remove these benign but potentially malignant lesions and to develop with the patient a plan for future surveillance.

The physician will try to identify and remove any polyps which are suspicious for adenoma.  Most of these are diminutive (smaller than 5 mm, a little less than ¼  inch), and these can often be removed without the need for cautery.  For small (5 to 10 mm) or large (greater than 10 mm) polyps, the risk of bleeding usually requires cauterization.  To remove and cauterize a polyp, the physician uses a wire snare (a wire loop that can be tightly closed on the polyp) through which a specialized electric current is passed to heat and seal the blood vessels of the tissue.