Natural history and current management of colorectal polyps.

There are numerous histological types of colon polyps. The neoplastic polyp, the precursor to colon cancer, is called an adenoma. Adenomas vary in frequency throughout the world and are particularly prevalent in Western countries. The belief that after several years of development some adenomas will become cancers is termed the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. These adenomas occur in both males and females and their incidence increases with age. While small polyps were once considered unimportant, it is now recognized that adenomas may be small. The clinical importance of other small polyps, most often hyperplastic polyps, is still being investigated. When adenomas are found in the colon a full colonoscopy with removal of all polyps and review of their pathology should be performed.