Peter Hwang, M.D.
Associate Professor and Director
Stanford Sinus Center Stanford, CA
Polyps are benign growths in the nose that result from chronic inflammation of the nasal and sinus linings. Polyps may block the sinus drainage pathways and contribute to chronic infection. Polyps can be surgically removed, but they may have a tendency to recur as well, even after surgery. Polyps are generally not cancerous or even pre-cancerous in nature.
sinus-faq09-drferguson
Berrylin J. Ferguson, M.D. Pittsburgh, PA
A polyp refers to any mass of tissue that bulges or projects outword from the normal surface level. Nasal polyps have many causes and are usually inflammatory. Approximately half are associated with dust mite or mold allergies. Frequently patients with asthma will have nasal polyps. Approximately 2% of the population has nasal polyps. When nasal polyps get large they can cause nasal airway obstruction and decreased or absent sense of smell. Inflammatory polyps frequently grow back after sinus surgery unless a nasal series sprays used. Polyps can occur in many parts of the body. Nasal and sinus polyps are not related to polyps in other parts of the body.
