Adenocarcinoma represents 96-98% of colorectal neoplasms, and neoplastic polyps (adenomas) are their precursors. The aim of this study is to correlate size, location and histologic type of colorectal polyps at the presence of dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. Methods: Colonoscopies from January/2007 to December/2008 were retrospectively studied, in order to evaluate the characteristics of the polyps. Results and Discussion: Out of the 2,401 analyzed colonoscopies, 583 (24.3%) presented polyps. Due to the lack of histopathologic data, 139 exams were excluded. Mean age of the patients was 58±12 years, and 60% were females. Polyps were prevalent in the left colon (38.5%) and rectum (32.5%). Out of the 850 polyps which were histologically examined, 55.17% were tubular adenomas; 21.88%, hyperplastic; 17.05%, serrated; 5.4%, tubulovillous; and 0.47%, villous. As to polyps £1.0 cm, dysplasia was observed in 16.0% and adenocarcinoma in 1.9%. Those >1.0 cm, 72.0% (p<0.001) presented dysplasia, and 25.3% (p<0.001) presented adenocarcinoma. Polyps in the right and transverse colon were strongly associated with dysplasia (17.8% and 16.7%). Adenocarcinomas were prevalent in the left colon (2.5%) and rectum (2.1%). Conclusion: Polyps were more frequent in the left colon and rectum. The right and transverse colons were strongly correlated with dysplasia. Those of the left colon and rectum were associated with adenocarcinoma. Lesions >1.0 cm were positively related to dysplasia and neoplasm.
intestinal polyps; colorectal neoplasms; colonoscopy
