Women who are diagnosed with bladder polyps may not automatically assume that there is anything serious matter with them or any cause for worry, though in cases it is possible that bladder polyps are of a cancerous nature and require removal by way of surgery.
Bladder polyps are out-pouching or growths in the lining of the bladder and very often women who have them display no symptoms.
However, the most common symptoms of bladder polyps are frequent urination or painful urination.
There may also be detected by blood in urine which could be a symptom and which is what leads to the discovery of the condition. The blood may be visible or traces of it could be found upon conducting of a test.
Polyps may be detected most often by virtue of a cystoscopy, which involves the insertion of an instrument into the bladder so that the lining can be examined.
Using this method it may also be possible for the doctor to remove the polyp or a biopsy sample. This would help conclude whether the polyp is of a cancerous nature or not.
There can be various types of bladder polyps:
- hamartomatous polyps are those which are benign, non cancerous and quite harmless
- adenomatous polyps which are gland like
- villous or dysplastic polyps are the ones that display pre-malignant changes which are the kind that are cause for immediate action.
When should Bladder polyps be removed?
Though bladder polyps are often benign and non cancerous, if they are seen to be of a considerable size or seen to be increasing in size, they may require to be removed. Sometimes, it is necessary to remove them only to confirm that they are non cancerous or to prevent the disconcerting but not strictly dangerous symptoms associated with these polyps, i.e. painful urine or blood in urine.
When cancerous polyps are detected and treated early there is a very good chance of there being no long lasting negative impact on health of the woman affected.
The causes for occurrence of polyps are not clearly understood although their risk is said to increase with certain lifestyles or occupations. Smoking is said to increase risk, as is occupation in certain industries.
Certain demographics are also more prone to bladder polyps; for instance men are more likely to have them than women and their incidence is very low in individuals below 55 years of age. Certain parasitic infections are also likely to increase risk of developing bladder polyps.
