1. Non-neoplastic
Colonic Polyps
Polyps are most common in the colon but may occur in the
esophagus, stomach, or small intestine.
Lecture 14
By
Dr Mohammad Manzoor Mashwani BKMC Mardan

2. Definition of Polyp
A polyp is defined as any growth or mass protruding from the mucous membrane
into the lumen.
• Classification:
• Stalked or pedunculated polyp
• Sessile polyp
As sessile polyps enlarge, proliferation of cells adjacent to the polyp and the effects
of traction on the luminal protrusion, may combine to create a stalk.
Non-neoplastic &
Neoplastic Polyps

3. Non-neoplastic Colonic
Polyps
Non-neoplastic Polyps
Hyperplastic polypsHamartomatous polyps
Juvenile polyps
Peutz-Jeghers polyps
Inflammatory polyps
Lymphoid polyps
90%
most common

4. Neoplastic Colonic Polyps
• Neoplastic Epithelial Lesions
• Benign polyps
•
Adenomas
• Malignant lesions
Adenocarcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus

5. Non-neoplastic
polyps
of
intestine
Hyperplastic polyps
Hamartomatous
polyps
Juvenile polyps
Peutz-Jeghers polyps
Inflammatory
Lymphoid polyps
polyps

6. Non-neoplastic Polyps
• The overwhelming majority of intestinal
polyps occur sporadically, particularly in the
colon, and increase in infrequency with age.
• Non-neoplastic polyps represent 90% of all
epithelial polyps in the large intestine and are
found in more than half of all persons age 60
years or older.

7. I. Hyperplastic Polyps (Metaplastic)
• The most common amongst all epithelial polyps.
• Most common in the left colon (rectosigmoid).
• Called hyperplastic because there is epithelial
hyperplasia at the base of crypts, and metaplastic
as there are areas of cystic metaplasia.
• More common in elderly (6th-7th decade).

8. Pathogenesis
The pathogenesis of hyperplastic polyps is incompletely understood, but they are
thought to result from
decreased epithelial cell turnover and
delayed shedding of surface epithelial cells,
leading to a “pileup” of goblet cells and absorptive
cells.

9. Morphology
GROSS- Most commonly found in the
•
Small
( <5 mm in diameter), multiple,
left colon (rectosigmoid) and
smooth-surfaced, sessile.
Microscopy - composed of mature goblet
and
absorptive cells, long & cystically dilated glands &
crypts.
• The delayed shedding of these cells leads to crowding that creates
the
serrated surface
(Saw-toothed) architecture that is the
morphologic hallmark of these lesions.

10. Hyperplastic polyp. A, Polyp surface with irregular tufting of epithelial cells. B, Tufting
(bunch) results from epithelial overcrowding. C, Epithelial crowding produces a serrated
architecture when glands are cut in cross-section.

12. Hamartomatous polyps
Occur sporadically and in the context of various
genetically determined or acquired syndromes .
Recall that hamartomas are tumor-like growths
composed of mature tissues that are normally present at
the site in which they develop.
Although Hamartomatous polyposis syndromes are rare, they are
associated intestinal
and extra-intestinal manifestations and the need
to screen family members.
important to recognize because of

16. Juvenile Polyps
(Retention polyps)
• Juvenile polyps are the most common type of
hamartomatous polyp.
• Juvenile polyps are focal malformations of the
mucosal epithelium and lamina propria.
• These may be sporadic or syndromic.
• The vast majority of juvenile polyps occur in
children less than 5 years of age.
• When present in adults, polyps with identical morphology are
sometimes confusingly referred to as inflammatory
polyps.

17. • The majority of juvenile polyps are located in the
rectum and most present with rectal bleeding. In
some cases prolapse occurs and the polyp protrudes
through the anal sphincter.
• Sporadic juvenile polyps are usually solitary lesions
and may be referred to as retention polyps.
• In contrast, individuals with the autosomal dominant syndrome
of juvenile polyposis have from 3 to as many as 100 hamartomatous polyps
and may require colectomy to limit the chronic and sometimes
severe hemorrhage associated with polyp ulceration.

18. •
stomach and small bowel.
Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations are a
A minority of patients also have polyps in the
recognized extra-intestinal manifestation of the syndrome.
Dysplasia occurs in a small proportion of (mostly syndrome associated)
juvenile polyps, and the juvenile polyposis syndrome
is associated with increased risk for the development of colonic adenocarcinoma.

19. Morphology
Individual sporadic and syndromic juvenile polyps often are indistinguishable.
Gross-
pedunculated, smooth surfaced,
reddish lesions that are <3 cm in diameter and
display characteristic cystic spaces on cut sections.
Microscopic examination – cystically dilated glands
filled with mucin and inflammatory debris
Spherical,

21. Juvenile polyposis. A, Juvenile polyp. Note the surface erosion and cystically
dilated crypts. B, Inspissated mucous, neutrophils, and inflammatory debris can
accumulate within dilated crypts.

22. Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome
A rare autosomal dominant disorder
defined by the presence of multiple
gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyps
and mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation
that carries an increased risk of several
malignancies, including cancers of the colon,
pancreas, breast, lung, ovaries, uterus, and testes, as
well as other unusual neoplasms.

23. • Intestinal polyps are most common in the small
intestine, although they may also occur in the
stomach and colon and, rarely, in the bladder and
lungs.

24. Morphology
• Gross- More commonly situated in the small
intestine. Often large (variable), multiple &
pedunculated with lobulated contour.
• Microscopy- characteristic arborizing network of
connective tissue, smooth muscle, lamina propria, and glands
lined by normal-appearing intestinal epithelium.
• Tree-like branching of muscularis mucosae. The
gland may show hyperplasia & cystic change.

25. Peutz-Jeghers polyp. A, Polyp surface (top) overlies stroma composed of smooth
muscle bundles cutting through the lamina propria. B, Complex glandular architecture and the
presence of smooth muscle are features that distinguish Peutz-Jeghers polyps from juveni le
polyps.

26. Inflammatory Polyps
(Pseudopolyps)
The polyp that forms as part of the solitary rectal
ulcer syndrome is an example of the purely
inflammatory lesion.
Patients present with the clinical triad of rectal
bleeding, mucus discharge, and an inflammatory
lesion of the anterior rectal wall.

27. • The underlying cause is impaired relaxation of the
anorectal sphincter, creating a sharp angle at the
anterior rectal shelf. This leads to recurrent
abrasion and ulceration of the overlying rectal
mucosa. Chronic cycles of injury and healing
produce a polypoid mass made up of inflamed and
reactive mucosal tissue.

28. • Inflammatory polyps or pseudopolyps appear due
to reepithelialisation of the undermined ulcer &
overhanging margins in inflammatory bowel
disease, most frequently in ulcerative colitis &
sometimes in Crohn’s disease.

29. A projecting mass of hypertrophied mucous membrane (as in the stomach
or colon) resulting from local inflammation

30. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. A, The dilated glands, proliferative epithelium,
superficial erosions, and inflammatory infiltrate are typical of an inflamatory polyp. However,
the smooth muscle hyperplasia within the lamina propria suggests that mucosal
prolapse has also occurred. B, Epithelial hyperplasia. C, Granulation tissue-like capillary
proliferation within the lamina propria caused by repeated erosion and re-epithelialization .