A polyp is a growth of abnormal tissue that forms on a mucous membrane. Polyps can develop on any organ in your body that contains blood vessels. Some of the most common types of polyps include colon polyps, nasal polyps, cervical polyps, and endometrial polyps. With such different locations, the causes for each of these types of polyps will vary.
Causes of Colon Polyps
Colon polyps develop on the lining of your large intestine. Though most colon polyps are benign (noncancerous), it is possible for some polyps to develop into colon cancer, which is often fatal. Biologically, a colon polyp forms when healthy cells develop a genetic mutation in their DNA and begin to grow and divide much too quickly, eventually forming a mass of abnormal cells. A general rule is that the larger the polyp is, the greater chance that the polyp will be malignant (cancerous).
Though it is not yet known what exactly causes cells to become abnormal, there are certain factors that increase your chance of developing colon polyps. These include:
- Family history: If you have an immediate relative (parent, sibling, or child) who has colon polyps or colon cancer, you are more likely to develop colon polyps yourself. The more family members affected, the greater your risk will be.
- Obesity: If you are severely overweight or obese and never exercise, your risk for colon polyps will be increased.
- Type 2 diabetes: If you have type 2 diabetes and do not take steps to keep your condition well-managed, this will increase your risk for colon polyps.
- Age: Though colon polyps can occur at any age, your risk for colon polyps will increase as you get older, especially after the age of 50.
- Inflammatory intestinal conditions: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis will increase your risk for colon polyps.
- Hereditary polyp disorders: There are certain rare genetic mutations that will cause colon polyps to form. These include lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, Gardner’s syndrome, MYH-associated polyposis, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, and serrated polyposis syndrome.
- Race: African Americans have an increased risk of develop colon polyps than any other race.
- Use of tobacco and alcohol: Abusing alcohol or tobacco will increase your risk of developing colon polyps.
Causes of Nasal Polyps
Nasal polyps are usually small, painless growths that form on your sinuses or along the lining of your nasal passages. This type of polyp is rarely cancerous and usually does not even produce symptoms. Though it is unclear to scientists why certain people develop nasal polyps while others do not, it does appear to be linked to a difference in immune system responses and different chemical markers in the mucous membranes among people who develop nasal polyps.
There are certain conditions that increase your risk of developing nasal polyps, including:
- Allergic fungal sinusitis: This fungi allergy can increase your risk for developing nasal polyps.
- Churg-Strauss syndrome: This is a rare disease that causes inflammation in your blood vessels. This can lead to an increased risk of nasal polyps as well.
- Asthma: Since asthma causes inflammation and constriction in your airways, this disease will make it easier for nasal polyps to develop.
- Cystic fibrosis: This genetic disorder causes thick mucus to secrete from your nasal and sinus membranes and increasing your risk for nasal polyps.
- Aspirin sensitivity: If you have sensitivity to aspirin, this can also make you more likely to develop nasal polyps.
Causes of Cervical Polyps
Polyps that develop on the surface of the cervix or inside the cervical canal are referred to as cervical polyps. It is not fully understood why cervical polyps occur, but there are some factors that are linked to their development. These include:
- An increased level of estrogen: Estrogen levels naturally fluctuate during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause. When estrogen levels become really high, this will increase your risk for developing cervical polyps.
- Clogged blood vessels: If your blood vessels become slowed or clogged for any reason, this will also increase your risk for developing cervical polyps.
- Chronic inflammation of the cervix, uterus, or vagina: Many things can cause your cervix and surrounding female organs to become red, irritated, or eroded. When this happens, your risk for cervical polyps will be increased.
Causes of Endometrial Polyps
Growths that attach to the inner lining of your uterine cavity are referred to as endometrial polyps. Polyps found in this area are usually benign, but some are found to be cancerous or precancerous after removed for biopsy. Like cervical polyps, the development of endometrial polyps seems to be directly linked to fluctuations in estrogen levels.
Factors that will increase your risk include:
- Obesity: Being severely overweight will increase your risk for developing endometrial polyps.
- Tamoxifen: This is a drug that is taken for breast cancer and may affect your female hormone levels, leading to an increased risk of endometrial polyps.
- Menopause: Being either perimenopausal or postmenopausal can increase your risk for endometrial polyps as well.
- Hypertension: If you have high blood pressure, this will also increase your risk.
