title: Correlation of the morphology and size of colonic polyps with their histology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colonic adenomatous polyps are premalignant lesions; early recognition and use of a polypectomy for these polyps can reduce the occurrence of colorectal cancer. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the complications of polypectomy and the relationship between the morphology and size of colonic polyps and their histology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on colonic polyps from 324 patients who received a polypectomy between April 1998 and December 2001 were collected. These included 207 men and 117 women, ranging in age between 17 and 86 years old, and who had had a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopic examination. A polypectomy was performed on those colonic polyps discovered, and their morphology, size, and histology were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The histological findings of these polyps included adenoma, carcinoma, hyperplastic, and inflammatory polyps. One and a half percent (n = 6) were carcinomas, all of which belonged to the Yamada III or IV polyp group and were more than 1 cm in size, except for 1 polyp which was 0.7 cm. One case was complicated by colon perforation, and 2 cases experienced mild bleeding with no need for a blood transfusion or hospitalization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Morphology and size are closely related to the malignant change in colonic polyps. Colonic polyps with a size greater than 1 cm and classified as Yamada type III or IV have a higher potential for malignant change, and a polypectomy should be considered when they are discovered. A polypectomy is a safe procedure with only minor complications.
authors.affiliation: Section of Gastroenterology, Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Tze-Vun
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.forename: Seng-Kee
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chuah
authors.forename: Shue-Shian
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chiou
authors.forename: King-Wah
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Chia-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Yu-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Keng-Liang
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yeh-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Guan-Yeow
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Chi-Sin
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Changchien
mesh_terms: D018256:Adenomatous Polyps / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy