COLON AND RECTAL POLYPS. RELATIONSHIP TO CARCINOMA.

A review of certain significant contributions to the literature was undertaken to evaluate evidence for and against the proposition that there is positive relationship of adenomatous polyps to carcinoma of the colon and rectum. The overwhelming evidence would seem to indicate that some adenomatous polyps are disposed to develop into invasive carcinomas. Since there is no way of determining which polyp has this tendency, it would seem prudent to remove all polyps that can be removed safely with a sigmoidoscope and remove any in the colon that are more than 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter, the criterion as to size depending upon other factors in each case. It is established that colon and rectal carcinomas may also arise from the mucosa without first appearing in a polyp. Such lesions may clinically appear as shallow ulcerations.