A polyp is an outgrowth of normal or abnormal tissue that may be attached by a pedicle. They are commonly found in organs with many blood vessels, such as the uterus, rectum, and nose. Some polyps are cancerous and likely to spread (malignant) while others are normal (benign).

How a polyp biopsy is taken depends on the location:

• EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) or other endoscopy (for the throat, stomach and small bowel)
• colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy (for the large bowel)
• colposcopy-directed biopsy (for the vagina and cervix)

For areas of the body that are visible, a topical anesthetic is applied, and a small piece of the tissue that appears to be abnormal is removed. The suspect tissue is sent to the laboratory where technicians determine if the polyp is benign or malignant.

If the biopsy is to take place in the nose, or other visible surface or orifice, no special preparation is required, although fasting for a few a hours may be advisable.

There is more involved preparation for some of the internal procedures, please see those topics for additional information.

For superficial polyps, you may feel a tugging sensation while the biopsy is being taken. After the anesthetic wears off, the area may be sore for a few days. Biopsies of internal polyps are performed during procedures (for example EGD or colonoscopy), and usually nothing is felt both during and after the biopsy. Please see the individual procedure topics for more specific information.

Malignant cells are present and may indicate a malignant tumor. Further tests may be needed.

• bowel perforation
• infection
• bleeding