Bladder polyp causes are often unknown, but risk factors include age over 55, smoking, and exposure to industrial chemicals. Parasitic infections, particularly in certain regions, may also contribute. Treatment involves surgical removal and analysis for cancerous cells.
Typically, doctors cannot determine the specific causes of bladder polyps. There are, however, some cases where the cause is easier to pinpoint; in these cases, the problem is usually a parasitic infection. However, a parasitic infection is more likely to be the cause of a bladder polyp in an individual who contracted an infection in South America, Africa, or a Caribbean island. Despite the fact that the causes of bladder polyps are often unknown, there are certain risk factors that make a person more likely to develop them. For example, an individual may be more likely to develop polyps if he or she is over 55, smokes tobacco products, or has had prolonged exposure to industrial chemicals.
Unlike many other medical conditions, it’s typically difficult to determine the cause of a bladder polyp. In many cases, a doctor will begin treating the condition while the cause remains unknown. A potential cause is more likely to affect people who live in or have visited the Caribbean, South America, or certain areas of Africa. These people can become infected with Schistosoma parasites, which lay eggs in the bladder and can contribute to the development of a bladder polyp. This is more likely to happen in developing countries.
Although the cause of bladder polyps is generally unknown, an individual may be more likely to develop them if they are over 55 years of age. An individual may face greater risk if he is also a smoker. Similarly, doctors and scientists believe that use of and exposure to industrial chemicals increase the risk of developing the condition. It’s important to note, however, that avoiding tobacco smoke and industrial chemicals does not guarantee that a person will not develop a bladder polyp.
Doctors typically focus on treating the condition instead of trying to determine the cause. In many cases, this treatment involves surgically removing bladder polyps to determine whether they are cancerous or benign. Sometimes, however, doctors work to determine if they’re cancerous without removing them. A doctor may perform a cystoscopy, which involves inserting a medical instrument into the urethra and then into the bladder. Using this tool, a doctor can locate polyps and, in some cases, remove tissue that will be analyzed for the presence of cancerous cells.
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