Light micrograph of a section of a human polyp showing hereditary mixed polyposis syndrome (HMPS). This is a genetic condition that is associated with an increased risk of developing polyps in the digestive tract, most commonly in the colon or rectum. A polyp is a growth of normal tissue that forms a lump and as the name suggests, a variety of polyps may occur. It is thought that people with HMPS have a greater risk of developing colorectal cancer, since some of these polyps may turn cancerous over time, unless they are removed.