It is estimated that somewhere between 70% and 90% of colorectal cancers arise from polyps. Polyps may be hyperplastic or adenomatous. Hyperplastic polyps are considered to have no malignant potential. Adenomatous polyps may be tubular adenomas, tubulovillous adenomas, or villous adenomas. Villous adenomatous polyps have the highest potential for malignancy.2 A juvenile polyp is a nonneoplastic hamartoma.
REFERENCE 2. Rudy DR, Zdon MJ. Update on colorectal cancer. Am Fam Physician 2000;61:1759-70, 1773-4.
