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Colorectal cancer and polyp progression
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Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or the rectum, the last stretch of the intestine, when abnormal cells begin multiplying without any brakes and build a malignant tumor. A good share of these begin in the mucosa, the layer lining the inside of that tube.
Polyps can grow in that layer, lumps that rise up into the interior, and an adenoma is one of those types of polyp. Some adenomas climb the steps one by one until they become an invasive cancer, but it's a staircase most polyps never finish climbing.
In brief
Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or rectum when abnormal cells grow out of control and form a malignant tumor.
Many of these cancers start in the mucosa, the lining on the inside of the colon and rectum.
An adenoma is one type of polyp in that lining. Some adenomas can progress from a benign growth to invasive cancer, though most polyps never complete that progression.
The progression begins at the inner surface: a growth appears in the lining and, only sometimes, its cells extend into deeper layers.
Sources (2)
- National Cancer InstituteScreening Tests to Detect Colorectal Cancer and PolypsPublished
- National Cancer InstituteGenetics of Colorectal Cancer (PDQ®)Published
This page explains the topic in general terms; it does not tell anyone what treatment to follow.
Updated