Updates

Polyposis Program 

The Texas Children’s Hospital Polyposis Program is a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to the care of pediatric patients with gastrointestinal polyps and polyp syndromes.  We offer expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and long-term surveillance of these disorders.  In collaboration with hematology-oncology and genetics as well as other subspecialists in pediatric surgery and pathology, we offer the only gastrointestinal polyp management program in the region.   We partner with the high risk oncology group to evaluate patients at risk for cancer in the future.

What is a polyp?

A polyp is a growth which in some cases can develop into cancer.

How do you diagnose a polyp?

For most patients, the diagnosis of a polyp or a group of polyps is made by endoscopy, which is a special camera that can look at the colon, or other parts of the intestine.  At Texas Children’s we also use specialized techniques including single balloon enteroscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, wireless capsule endoscopy as well as several forms of EMR (endoscopic mucosal resection).  Many polyps, including large polyps or other tumors can be managed with an endoscope, while others require surgery.

How do I know if polyps need surgery?

In conjunction with our surgical team, and based on the type of polyps, a personalized approach using the latest guidelines is used to determine the need for surgery.