Colorectal Polyps

The 2 structural types of this are:

• Pedunculated - attached to mucosa by a stalk

• Sessile - attached to mucosa by a broad base

These polyps can either be benign (hyperplastic polyp), premalignant (adenomas), or malignant.

Types:

• Inflammatory - Associated with episodes of IBD.

• Hamartomatous - Associated with Juvenile Polyposis and Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome.

• Adenomatous - These form due to mutations and inactivation of the Adenomatous Polyposis Coli gene (APC), which is a TSG (tumour suppressor gene).

  • This is a pre-malignant condition

  • Risk of it progressing to a cancer increases if polyp is large in size, villous type on histology, or shows high-grade dysplasia

Presentation - Mostly asymptomatic, but may present with PR bleeding (leading to anaemia symptoms), and a change in bowel habits.

Investigated and managed with a Colonoscopy/Flexible sigmoidoscopy to see the polyp and remove it.

Complications - Ulceration, Bleeding, Obstruction