The significance of epithelial polyps of the large bowel.

We have reviewed 801 epithelial polyps removed from large intestines of 611 patients. Among these, there were 250 pure adenomatous, 304 adenomatous polyps with villi, 123 villous, and 124 hyperplastic polyps. Of the lesions classified as purely adenomatous, there were no observed carcinomas or carcinomas in situ. It would appear that a villous component may be an important indicator of the chance of the lesions harboring a carcinoma in situ or an invasive carcinoma. On the basis of our review, it would seem that it would be reasonable for a pathologist to indicate the estimated precentage of villous component in epithelial polyps of the large intestine.