Is An Anal Skin Tag Different From An Anal Polyp?

Posted on Wed, 8 Nov 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 8 Nov 2017 Answered on

Fri, 9 May 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : what is difference between Anal skin tag and anal polyp

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Polyp can even be cancerous.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Skin tag is some extra skin growth in anal area.It usually appear like small folds of skin in anus.Tag is usually not harmful and therefore no treatment is usually required if it is not associated with pain or itching in that area.On the other hand Anal polyps is formed due to clumping of cells lining anal canal.These cells are termed as mucosal cells.This growth can either be benign(non cancerous) or cancerous.A biopsy is required to find that out.
To sum up anal polyp can even be cancerous while skin tag is just some extra skin in anus.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D