What Is a Polyp?

About colon polyps

During a colonoscopy your doctor carefully examines the walls and lining of your entire large intestine (the colon and rectum) looking for polyps and lesions. There are 4 basic types of these abnormal growths of tissue. They may have a stalk and appear to be raised, or they may be flat or depressed.


There are 4 basic types of abnormal growths that may be found in the tissue of the colon, including depressed lesions, flat lesions, elevated lesions, and polyps.

Colon polyps are not commonly associated with symptoms, but colorectal cancer may be present inside these abnormalities. Even if colorectal cancer has not grown inside a polyp, there is a risk that cancer will develop. It is especially important for you to cleanse your colon thoroughly before a colonoscopy, as the flat and depressed lesions that are more likely to become cancerous can be hidden by solid matter that an incomplete bowel prep can leave behind.

Flat lesions are more difficult to locate and more likely to be cancerous than the more familiar polyps with a knobby appearance.1

Important Safety Information about MOVIPREP

MOVIPREP® (PEG-3350, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium ascorbate and ascorbic acid for oral solution) is an osmotic laxative indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults 18 years of age or older. MOVIPREP is contraindicated in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction, bowel perforation, gastric retention, ileus, toxic colitis or toxic megacolon, and patients who have had a severe hypersensitivity reaction to any of its components. MOVIPREP should be used with caution in patients at risk of or with fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, hyponatremia, arrhythmias, seizures, in patients with impaired renal function or patients taking concomitant medications that affect renal function, patients with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease, patients with suspected GI obstruction or perforation, patients at risk for aspiration, and patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Most common adverse reactions for split dosing (incidence ≥5%) are malaise, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and upper abdominal pain. The most common adverse reactions for evening only dosing (incidence ≥5%) are abdominal distension, anal discomfort, thirst, nausea, abdominal pain, sleep disorder, rigors, hunger, malaise, vomiting, and dizziness. MOVIPREP contains 233 mg of phenylalanine per treatment. Advise patients to hydrate adequately before, during, and after the use of MOVIPREP.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch/ or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Reference: 1. Soetikno RM, Kaltenbach T, Rouse RV, et al. Prevalence of nonpolypoid (flat and depressed) colorectal neoplasms in asymptomatic and symptomatic adults. JAMA. 2008;299:1027-1035.