Library · Neoplasm
Colorectal adenoma
Make it clearer
A colorectal adenoma is a growth where there shouldn't be one, in the inner lining of the colon or the rectum, the layer that coats the tube on the inside. That kind of abnormal growth is called a neoplasm, and this one in particular isn't malignant: an adenoma is not cancer. What happens is that it sometimes comes before cancer, like a leak in the roof that isn't a collapse yet but could end up as one.
And that could is literal: some adenomas do turn into colorectal cancer, and others stay just as they are for life. That's why, when one is taken out, the questions are how big it was, how many there were, and how it looks under the microscope. Those three pieces of information help estimate how likely it is that an advanced colorectal neoplasm will show up later on.
In brief
A colorectal adenoma is a nonmalignant neoplasm: an abnormal growth in the lining of the colon or rectum that is not cancer, although it can precede cancer.
Some adenomas can progress to colorectal cancer, but not all of them do.
Once they are removed, the size, number, and microscopic features of adenomas help estimate the future risk of finding advanced colorectal neoplasia.
Sources (3)
- National Cancer InstituteColorectal Cancer Screening (PDQ) .. Health Professional Version
- National Cancer InstituteColorectal Cancer Screening
- U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal CancerRecommendations for Follow-Up After Colonoscopy and PolypectomyPublished
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated