Q: My 12 years old daughter is healthy and normally active. The problem is that she has rectal polyps. We are planning to go in for a surgery. Can it be avoided by medicines? At times blood comes out. Very recently we found that a drop or two comes out of her nose which happened thrice in a span of three days. Why does it happen?

A:Polyps are small masses which arise from the body linings. Polyps often arise from the mucous lining of the intestinal tract, and can bleed. Structurally there are two types of polyps: those with a thin stalk, and those with a thick or no stalk. The former are called pedunculated. Pedunculated polyps can be removed through a colonoscope, avoiding major surgery. 25% of polyps in children are placed so close to the anus that they can be pulled out with a finger, and tied off, again without open surgery. Your gastroenterologist will tell you if surgery can be avoided. Bleeding from the nose is probably unrelated, unless she has a defect in blood clotting. Please consult an ENT surgeon first.