The distribution of polyps in the large intestine.

The distribution of polyps of the large intestine was investigated. Comparisons were made between results of autopsy studies and a clinical study consisting of 114 consecutively resected polyps. The shift from distal to proximal predominance of adenomas with increasing age from the 50 to the 80 year age group in autopsy studies, was in accordance with the high frequency of adenomas in the distal part of the large intestine in the prospective clinical study, mean 60 years of age. The present clinical study showed a high frequency of adenomas among men, whereas a tendency towards larger polyps and more polyps larger than 10 mm was seen for women. The present examination confirms the reported discrepancy between a high prevalence of adenomas compared to a much lower prevalence of cancer. Thus, the present results emphasize the need for further studies to gain information on risk factors in polyps or individuals predisposed for malignancy of the large intestine.