Summary
Experience with polyps in 27 children less than 13 years of age treated at the Ochsner Clinic during a period of 16 years has been reviewed in an effort to increase our knowledge of polypoid disease. Our study indicates that these polyps are usually pedunculated and may be single, multiple or diffuse. In our series 16 children had single polyps, nine multiple polyps and two diffuse polyposis. The commonest complaint was bright red blood in the stools.
Pathologically, these polyps are benign adenomas with inflammatory changes. Malignant polyps in children are rare and none were found in our series. The true malignant potential of single or scattered polyps in children is unknown, but is probably not great. All polyps in children should be removed regardless of size, mainly because of the symptoms they produce and because of their possible but unproved malignant potentiality. A positive family history may be lacking in some cases of familial polyposis.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andrén, L. and S. Frieberg: Spontaneous regression of polyps of the colon in children. Acta radiol.46: 507, 1956.
Gordon, D. L., G. A. Hallenbeck, M. B. Dockerty, R. L. J. Kennedy and R. J. Jackman: Polyps of the colon in children. A.M.A. Arch. Surg.75: 90, 1957.
Harris, J. W.: Polyps of rectum and colon in children. Am. J. Surg.86: 577, 1953.
Horrilleno, E. G., C. Eckert and L. V. Ackerman: Polyps of the rectum and colon in children. Cancer.10: 1210, 1957.
Jeghers, H., V. A. McKusick and K. H. Katz: Generalized intestinal polyposis and melanin spots of the oral mucosa, lips and digits: A syndrome of diagnostic significance. New England J. Med.241: 993, 1949.
McKenney, D. C.: Multiple polyposis: Congenital, heredofamilial, malignant. Am. J. Surg.46: 204, 1939.
Parada, F., A. Guzman and W. Leiva: Polipos del colon y recto. Rev. chil. pediat.27: 249, 1956.
Richards, R. C. and C. Woolf: Solitary polyps of the colon and rectum: A study of inherited tendency. Am. Surgeon.22: 287, 1956.
Smith, W. G. and R. J. Jackman: Polyposis of the large intestine: Preservation of the terminal segment. Am. J. Surg.90: 751, 1955.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Read at the meeting of the American Proctologic Society, June 29 to July 3, 1958, Los Angeles, California.
About this article
Cite this article
Hines, M.O., Hanley, P.H., Ray, J.E. et al. Polyps of the colon and rectum in children. Dis Colon Rectum 2, 161–165 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02616709
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02616709