The 'malignant colon polyp'. A critique and opinion.

There is some controversy about the indications for surgical resection above the distal rectum following colonoscopic removal of a polyp which proves to be malignant. Sessile, villous adenomas are generally considered to carry greater risk of spreading malignancy than pedunculated, tubular or villous adenomas. Resection is usually recommended in the presence of carcinomatous invasion beyond the muscularis mucosae and/or insufficient tumor-free margin of the stalk if the patient's condition permits.