eMedicine Specialties > Gastroenterology > Colon

Colonic Polyps

Gregory H Enders, MD, PhD, Member, Fox Chase Cancer Center
Wafik S El-Deiry, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Department of Hematology/Oncology; Co-Program Leader, Radiation Biology Program, Abramson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Updated: Dec 15, 2009

Introduction

Background

Colonic polyps are slow-growing overgrowths of the colonic mucosa that carry a small risk (<1%) of becoming malignant. However, because colonic polyps are highly prevalent in the general population (especially with increasing age), they confer an important predisposition to colon cancer and are therefore removed when detected.

Patients with isolated colonic polyps are usually asymptomatic but can experience overt or occult colonic bleeding. Colonic polyps can occur as part of inherited polyposis syndromes in which their number is greater and the risk for malignant progression is much greater compared to the risk with isolated colonic polyps.

In the context of clinical studies of chemoprevention, efforts are being directed at suppressing colonic polyp formation (eg, by use of sulindac) and/or at preventing their progression to colon cancer (eg, by use of aspirin).

Pathophysiology

Colonic polyps, or adenomas, are benign epithelial neoplasms that arise from the epithelial cells lining the colon. Colonic polyps are traditionally divided into 3 groups, as follows: hyperplastic polyps, adenomas, and polyposis syndromes.

Hyperplastic polyps

Hyperplastic polyps comprise about 90% of all polyps and are benign protrusions. They are usually less than 0.5 cm in diameter. Hyperplastic polyps most commonly occur in the rectosigmoid region during adulthood.

Thought previously to be entirely clinically insignificant, hyperplastic polyps are now recognized to possess some malignant potential in the setting of hyperplastic polyposis syndrome. Patients who are affected have an occurrence of hyperplastic polyps proximal to the sigmoid colon, with (1) 2 or more that are greater than 10 mm in diameter, (2) a total of more than 30 polyps, or (3) a first-degree relative with the syndrome. The polyps in this syndrome may have adenomatous components; display a serrated, saw-tooth surface epithelium; and harbor methylation of specific target genes, including mismatch repair genes.

Adenomas

Adenomas comprise approximately 10% of polyps. Most polyps (approximately 90%) are small, usually less than 1 cm in diameter, and have a small potential for malignancy. The remaining 10% of adenomas are larger than 1 cm and approach a 10% chance of containing invasive cancer.

Adenomas are traditionally divided by histology into 3 types, as follows: tubular, tubulovillous, and villous. Tubular adenomas are the most common of the 3 types and can be found anywhere in the colon. Villous adenomas most commonly occur in the rectal area; tend to be larger than the other two types; and tend to be nonpedunculated, velvety, or cauliflowerlike in appearance. Villous adenomas are associated with the highest morbidity and mortality rates of all polyps. They can cause hypersecretory syndromes characterized by hypokalemia and profuse mucous discharge and can harbor carcinoma in situ or invasive carcinoma more frequently than other adenomas.

Thus, the risk of progression to carcinoma is related to both the size and the histology of the adenoma. Adenomas that are greater than 1 cm, contain a substantial (>25%) villous component, or have high-grade dysplasia are commonly referred to as advanced neoplasms and carry an increased cancer risk.

The shape or gross structure of the polyp is also clinically significant. Those polyps with a stalk are called pedunculated. Those polyps without a stalk are called sessile. Sessile polyps are more concerning than large pedunculated polyps for two reasons. First, the pathway for migration of invasive cells from the tumor into submucosal and more distant structures is shorter. Second, the complete endoscopic removal is more challenging and more difficult to ascertain.

Some premalignant neoplasia is now recognized to be flat, rather than protuberant. Such nonpolypoid neoplasia is more common in the setting of chronic colitis and may be detected more readily by nontraditional endoscopic imaging methods, such as narrow-band width imaging or mucosal staining.

Polyposis syndromes

Polyposis syndromes are hereditary conditions that include familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), hereditary nonpolyposis (a misnomer) colorectal cancer (HNPCC)/Lynch syndrome, Gardner syndrome, Turcot syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Cowden disease, familial juvenile polyposis, and hyperplastic polyposis.

Progress has been made in understanding some of the genetic factors contributing to the development of these syndromes. Some of the syndromes have extraintestinal features that help differentiate one syndrome from the other. For example, FAP is best understood in terms of the genetic basis and subsequent pathological and genetic events leading to carcinoma.

Two other types of benign polyps are hamartomatous polyps, which contain a mixture of normal tissues, and inflammatory polyps, which contain an inflammatory epithelial reaction and are typically found in the context of colitis.

Frequency

United States

Population and autopsy studies suggest that about 30% of middle-aged or elderly individuals have colonic polyps. In comparison, the incidence of FAP in the United States is 1 case for every 6580-8300 persons.

International

Accurate comparison of colonic polyp incidence and prevalence among countries is difficult because of differences in the methods used for detection. Colonic polyp prevalence in patients older than 60 years appears to vary substantially within and among countries, but it appears to be greater than 10% in most areas.

Mortality/Morbidity

Untreated, colonic polyps can and do progress to carcinoma over several years. Morbidity from colonic polyps is related to complications, such as bleeding, diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, and progression to cancer. Bleeding can be frank hematochezia but is often chronic and goes unnoticed by the patient. If uncompensated, intestinal blood loss can cause anemia, typically due to iron deficiency.

A study by Stryker et al suggests that the risk of cancer development from sporadic 1-cm colonic polyps is 8% at 10 years and 24% at 20 years.^{[1 ]}The risk for cancer development depends on the size of the polyp, villous histology, and its association with polyposis syndromes. In FAP, cancer inevitably develops 10-20 years after the initial appearance of colonic polyps.

Race

Race per se is not a major risk factor for colonic polyps. However, studies indicate that blacks have a somewhat higher incidence and an earlier onset of colorectal carcinoma. An American Gastroenterological Association task force recommended beginning colorectal cancer screening in blacks at age 45 years, rather than the standard age of 50 years.

Sex

Males may have a modestly higher colonic polyp incidence than females.

Age

Colonic polyps are strongly associated with increasing age (typically after age 40 y), but they can occur early in patients with polyposis syndromes. For example, colonic polyps can be detected in adolescents with familial adenomatous polyposis or in patients aged 20-40 years with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).

Clinical

History

History of present illness
- Most patients with colonic polyps are asymptomatic.
- In symptomatic patients, the most common presenting symptom is rectal bleeding. Other symptoms include diarrhea or constipation, often with decreased stool caliber.
- Villous adenomas of the rectum and distal colon can occasionally manifest as a syndrome of severe diarrhea with massive fluid and electrolyte loss.
- Chronic bleeding from colonic polyps may cause iron deficiency anemia.
Family history: Although colonic polyps are a disease of older individuals, a positive family history of polyposis should prompt referral for screening in younger individuals and, in some cases, at more frequent intervals. A common practice is to begin screening in a patient 5 years earlier than the age at which colonic polyps were diagnosed in a first-degree relative.

Physical

Distal rectal polyps can be detected by digital rectal examination. Otherwise, physical examination findings are typically normal.
Occult blood in stools (detected by guaiac and antibody-based tests) may be found in a minority of patients with colonic polyps.
- Although nonspecific, this finding should prompt a colon evaluation in most patients.
- Such evaluations have had similar yields of clinically significant findings whether the stool sample was obtained by digital rectal examination or was retrieved from spontaneously passed stools.

Causes

Epidemiologic studies suggest that environmental causes contribute to differences in colonic polyp incidence in geographically distinct populations, but the responsible factors have remained elusive.
Differences in consumption of dietary fiber and antioxidants have been hypothesized to play a role in the development of colonic polyps, but these proposals have not been substantiated in recent studies. There is limited, circumstantial evidence that consumption of meat, fat, and alcohol may be risk factors. Conversely, consumption of calcium and folate may confer a modest protective effect, particularly in patients with a history of colonic polyps and low basal consumption levels.
Genetics
- A number of polyposis syndromes have been described. These can be associated with specific extraintestinal manifestations as well as extraintestinal tumors.
- Identification and characterization of the genetic factors leading to the various syndromes is progressing. Most of the mutant genes in these syndromes have been identified.
- At the genetic level, FAP is understood best. This is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by truncating mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene.
- Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in DNA mismatch repair proteins.
- Cowden disease is associated with mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homology on chromosome 10 (PTEN) protein phophatase.

Differential Diagnoses

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
Gardner Syndrome
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome

Workup

Laboratory Studies

No laboratory test can determine definitively whether a given patient has a colonic polyp. A stool occult blood test can detect a fraction (20-40%) of colonic polyps that are greater than 10 mm in diameter but can also reflect other causes of gastrointestinal blood loss.
Anemia is not specific for colonic polyps but can be an indication of their presence.
A patient with a family history of FAP may inherit a mutation in the APC gene.
- A blood test may detect this heterozygous state.
- Because most APC mutations involve truncations of the protein, an in vitro protein truncation assay has been developed by Powell et al.^{[2 ]}This assay amplifies segments of APC messenger RNA (mRNA) and expresses the protein parts in vitro to readily detect the truncated products. A positive test finding only indicates susceptibility, not the actual presence of a colonic polyp.
Genetic testing of blood samples can also detect most cases of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)/Lynch syndrome. Despite the name, patients with HNPCC have polyps but many fewer than those patients with APC syndrome.

Imaging Studies

Air contrast barium enema
- This test can detect larger colonic polyps but can miss smaller ones; it has a low false-positive rate.
- In a study, air contrast barium enema detected only about 50% of colonic polyps greater than 1 cm in diameter.
Virtual colonoscopy
- This test is performed by CT scanning (or MRI) and has shown promise in research studies, detecting more than 80% of large polyps. In a large, multicenter trial, however, a disappointing sensitivity of only 55% was obtained for colonic polyps 10 mm or larger in diameter.
- Another trial found a detection rate for CT scanning comparable to colonoscopy, although some methodological issues have been raised regarding this study.^{[3 ]}Virtual colonoscopy is beginning to be performed for screening outside research settings on limited numbers of patients. A main drawback is that a second procedure, a colonoscopy, is required to remove detected colonic polyps. Whether the radiation exposure from CT scanning may be significant is debated.^{[4,5 ]}
- In most methods, a thorough colon preparation is required. Methods are under development to label stool with barium meals, obviating the need for cathartic bowel prep.

Procedures

Adequate bowel cleansing is necessary prior to many procedures.
- Several preparations are marketed for bowel cleansing (eg, polyethylene glycol 3350 [GoLYTELY, NuLYTELY, HalfLYTELY], magnesium citrate [Citroma], senna [X-Prep]) in preparing patients for gastrointestinal procedures, such as colonoscopy and barium x-ray studies.
- Bowel cleansing preparations may be used with various dietary preparations (eg, clear liquid diet the day before surgery or procedure) and are convenient to administer on an outpatient basis. Nonetheless, distaste for or discomfort from the preparation remains a complaint of some patients.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a good screening test and the only procedure or imaging modality to be validated by studies that document a decrease in colorectal cancer mortality. However, this procedure does not examine the entire colon. Studies indicate that the majority of large adenomatous polyps in women will be missed by using flexible sigmoidoscopy alone.
- Screening is usually begun at age 50 years in patients who are at average risk.
- Randomized controlled trials have documented a reduction in mortality from colon cancer in populations screened by flexible sigmoidoscopy. However, studies suggest that about 40% of high-risk proximal adenomas remain undetected when this procedure is used as the primary screening modality.
Colonoscopy^{[6 ]}
- Colonoscopy is the preferred test to detect colonic polyps, obtain biopsies, and/or perform endoscopic resection. Sensitivities for large colonic polyps in the 80-90% range have been reported.
- Although flexible sigmoidoscopy and stool tests for occult blood have been the mainstays of screening to prevent colon cancer, some clinicians now favor colonoscopy as a primary screening tool.
Capsule endoscopy
- An ingestible, camera-equipped capsule was developed as a means of exploring the gastrointestinal tract. Van Gossum et al compared the efficacy of this device with that of a colonoscope in the detection of colorectal polyps, advanced adenomas, and cancer.^{[7 ]}In a study of 328 patients with known or suspected colonic disease, the authors found that capsule endoscopy had a sensitivity and specificity of 64% and 84%, respectively, for the detection of polyps that were 6 mm or more in size. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of advanced adenomas were 73% and 79%, respectively. Capsule endoscopy detected 14 of 19 cancers that had been found using colonoscopy.
- The investigators also determined that in patients with good or excellent colon cleanliness, capsule endoscopy's sensitivity was higher for all lesions than it was in individuals whose colon cleanliness was fair or poor. Van Gossum and colleagues concluded that in comparison with colonoscopy, capsule endoscopy has a low sensitivity for the detection of colonic lesions.
Stool DNA
- Tests have been developed that detect mutant, fragmented, and/or methylated DNA from exfoliated colon tumor cells in stool.
- These tests have shown the ability to detect a substantial fraction of tumors in clinical trials^{[8 ]}but are expensive and appear to be less sensitive than colonoscopy.

Histologic Findings

Adenomatous polyps are of 3 different histological types, as follows: tubular, villous, and tubulovillous. Adenomatous polyps may show changes of dysplasia, which distinguish them from hyperplastic polyps. The most common benign polyp is hyperplastic.

Staging

Colonic polyps are typically benign. Colonic polyps that contain high-grade dysplasia or microinvasive cancer confined to the mucosa are often termed carcinoma in situ.

Treatment

Medical Care

Some studies have demonstrated that medical treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) decreases the number and the size of colonic polyps. However, NSAIDs, such as sulindac, do not prevent cancer development. These drugs do not yet constitute established therapies or chemopreventives for colonic polyps.

One study suggests that aspirin may be beneficial in reducing the incidence of recurrent colonic polyps, particularly advanced colonic polyps in select patients with a high risk of colon cancer and an acceptably low risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or hemorrhagic stroke.^{[9 ]}

Surgical Care

Polypectomy
- In the case of a solitary pedunculated polyp, colonoscopic removal can be performed concurrently with the search for other lesions.
- Removal of a solitary colonic polyp is usually curative for that lesion. However, a complete colonoscopic examination should be performed because the finding of a single adenomatous polyp confers an increased risk for the development of others. The rate of colonic polyp recurrence (discovered at follow-up colonoscopy) at 1-year postpolypectomy is small, and recurrence may in fact represent missed synchronous lesions. Repeat colonoscopy at 3-12 months is sometimes advocated if there is substantial doubt whether a colonic polyp has been completely resected and/or contains high-grade dysplasia.^{[10 ]}
Colonic resection^{[11 ]}
- In the case of multiple intestinal polyps associated with FAP, resection remains the only feasible option.
- Colonic resection is also advocated for patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis who have developed high-grade dysplasia or a dysplasia-associated lesion or mass (DALM).^{[9 ]}
- Surgical resection may be advocated for large, sessile polyps that are difficult to remove or for advanced colonic polyps that recur despite adequate initial endoscopic treatment.
- Several surgical options should be discussed with the patient, including total colectomy, subtotal colectomy with rectal sparing, or segmental resection.

Consultations

Surgical consultation
- Consultation with a surgeon is critical in patients with multiple polyps, including patients with FAP.
- Explain and discuss the type and timing of surgery with the patient.

Diet

A regular diet may be continued. The patient can consider calcium and folate supplements to decrease the risk of colonic polyp recurrence.

Activity

Activities may be maintained as tolerated.

Medication

No drug therapy is proven or recommended for colonic polyps. More studies are required to assess the potential use of NSAIDs in order to elucidate their mechanism of action in causing colonic polyp regression and to determine why they do not appear to prevent cancer development.

Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

Provide further inpatient care as needed.

Further Outpatient Care

Most gastroenterologists now advocate repeat colonoscopy 5 years following complete removal of a low-risk adenomatous polyp (as defined histologically). Colonoscopy is repeated in 3 years if the polyp has higher-risk features. Repeat colonoscopy may be advised in 3-12 months if the adequacy of polyp removal is a matter of substantial doubt. If no colonic polyps are found at the initial examination, follow-up colonoscopy at approximately 5-year intervals is recommended.

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

Consider aspirin in select patients with a high risk of colon cancer (and coronary artery disease) and a low risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or hemorrhagic stroke.

Deterrence/Prevention

Currently, no firm guidelines exist regarding the prevention of the development of colonic polyps.
- Calcium may be modestly protective.
- Fiber may also have some activity; the best evidence is for cereal fiber.
- Aspirin may be considered in select patients.
- Studies have demonstrated that a diet high in antioxidants has no impact on colonic polyp recurrence.
- In one study, supplementary folate was also found to have no benefit, although this conclusion bears the caveat that the tested population had substantial basal folate intake. Thus, some folate intake may be protective.

Complications

Complications of colonic polyps include bleeding, obstruction, diarrhea, and development of cancer.
Complications of polypectomy are uncommon but include bleeding and, rarely, intestinal perforation.

Prognosis

Colonic polyps are curable if removed. If not treated, the patient may develop complications, such as bleeding, and the condition may even be fatal if malignant transformation occurs.
Fortunately, colonic polyps grow slowly; cancer development is estimated to usually occur about 10 years after formation of a small colonic polyp.
Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is an exception. Progression to cancer appears to be more rapid because of increased genetic instability in the lesion. Patients with HNPCC should undergo screening for colonic polyps at more frequent intervals (every 1-2 y) than patients at average risk.

Patient Education

Patients with a family history of colonic polyps must be aware of the potential benefits of screening for colonic polyps.
Patients with FAP must be aware of the potential benefits of screening the upper GI tract and screening family members, beginning at puberty, for the mutant APC gene. Screening is particularly important because of the inevitable development of colon cancer in affected individuals and the benefits associated with colonic resection.
Patients with HNPCC should receive colon screening at frequent intervals and are at risk for development of tumors at additional sites, including the uterus and the ovaries in female patients. These patients should consider screening for tumor development at such sites or prophylactic resection.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

The ability to prevent colon cancer by polypectomy implies a responsibility to do so when possible. No screening tool is 100% effective; inevitably, colonic polyps will be missed. However, once detected, ensuring that the colonic polyp does not develop into a cancer is usually within the physician's ability.
The efficacy of removal of pedunculated polyps by polypectomy can usually be accurately assessed by histology. In contrast, sessile lesions are often removed in pieces or have cautery artifact precluding correct determination of the resection margin. If the endoscopist is uncertain whether a lesion has been eliminated, follow-up colonoscopy in 3-12 months may be advisable. Otherwise, a repeat colonoscopy in 3 years is usually recommended for sessile polyps and other higher-risk polyps.

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Keywords

colonic polyps, colonic polyp, colon polyp, colon polyps, colon cancer, colon cancer polyp, colonoscopy, polyposis, HNPCC, colonoscopy polyp, hyperplastic polyps, familial adenomatous polyposis, Gardner syndrome, Turcot syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Cowden disease, familial juvenile polyposis, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, polypectomy, colectomy

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Gregory H Enders, MD, PhD, Member, Fox Chase Cancer Center
Gregory H Enders, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Association, and Massachusetts Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Wafik S El-Deiry, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, Department of Hematology/Oncology; Co-Program Leader, Radiation Biology Program, Abramson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Wafik S El-Deiry, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American Society for Clinical Investigation, and American Society of Gene Therapy
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Manoop S Bhutani, MD, FACG, FACP, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Director, Center for Endoscopic Ultrasound, Co-Director, Center for Endoscopic Research, Training and Innovation, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Manoop S Bhutani, MD, FACG, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

BS Anand, MD, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine
BS Anand, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, and Society of General Internal Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Julian Katz, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hospital of the Medical College of Pennsylvania
Julian Katz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society of Law Medicine and Ethics, American Trauma Society, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Physicians for Social Responsibility
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgments

Research on colon neoplasia in the author's laboratory has been supported by NIH grant #R01DK64758.

Further Reading

Clinical Guidelines

Quality indicators for colonoscopy. American College of Gastroenterology - Medical Specialty Society
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Medical Specialty Society. 2006 Apr. 13 pages. NGC:004969

ASGE guideline: the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis, staging, and management of colorectal cancer.
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Medical Specialty Society. 2005 Jan. 7 pages. NGC:004061

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® colorectal cancer screening.
American College of Radiology - Medical Specialty Society. 1998 (revised 2006). 7 pages. NGC:005544

Clinical trials

Calcium/Vitamin D, Biomarkers,& Colon Polyp Prevention (PPS4B)

Discard:Characterisation of Colonic Polyps in Vivo (DISCARD)

Confocal Probe-Based Endoscopic Imaging, Colorectal Cancer, Gastrointestinal (GI) Pathologies (ASGE-FNDT-1)

A Prospective, Single Blinded Study for Predicting Colon Polyp Histology With Narrow Band Imaging (NBI)

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