Occult invasive cancer in polypoid adenomas of the colon and rectum

Conclusions

One thousand three hundred and forty-five patients with polypoid adenomas of the colon and rectum, that appeared to be benign both clinically and by morphologic characteristics, were treated by simple transcolonic excision or by biopsy and coagulation. A review of 1,500 specimens removed from these patients revealed that 180 (13. per cent) patients had some type of cancer which was discovered on histologic examination of the polyp. Of these, 37 (2.7 percent) had foci of invasive cancer. A clinical study to determine the effectiveness of local treatment was carried out in the invasin group. One patient (aged 77 years) we known to have local recurrence of cancer in the rectum three years after inadequacy treatment, but no patient had metastases within four to 14 years.

Adequate local treatment seems to satisfactory for benign-appearing polypod adenomas even though they may contact foci of invasive cancer.