The relationship between polyps and carcinoma of the colon and rectum

Summary and Conclusions

We believe that the experience here reported serves to support the theory of the close interrelationship between adenomatous polyps and carcinoma. There is no way to tell how many carcinomas begin as carcinoma, or how many begin in benign adenomas. There is no way to know how many carcinomas have completely replaced a preceding adenoma so that the latter cannot be recognized. But there is abundant evidence that carcinoma can and does originate in benign adenomas and there is further evidence that such a carcinoma can metastasize and cause death. There is also evidence that in many instances, in the early stage of malignant transformation, cure can be effected by conservative removal of the entire lesion by local excision. Recognition and appropriate treatment of polyps of the colon and rectum constitute one of the most rewarding endeavors in the control of cancer.

In the experience here recorded there have been no deaths from operations performed for polyps.