Pathological findings of colorectal polyps analyzed in Curitiba – Brazil

Abstract

Abstract Context Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of death from malignancy in the world and the fourth leading cause in Brazil's ranks. Adenomatous polyps are considered premalignant lesions, and its resection reduces both morbidity and mortality rates. Objectives Investigate the prevalence of premalignant lesions and correlate it with age and gender, as well as with the lesion found profile: location, morphology, histology and grade dysplasia. Methods This was a retrospective, observational and descriptive study. We analyzed and tabulated results of polyps reports sent to Pathology Laboratory in the period ranging from January 1 to December 31, 2013, in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. Results We analyzed 4640 reports of colorectal polypectomy, coming from 3089 patients, of whom 97.6% were examined by colonoscopy. Concerning gender, 56.5% were female and 43.5% were male. The mean age was 57.6 years (ranging from 15 to 92 years). The predominant removal areas of polyps were rectum in 26.2% and sigmoid in 24.2% cases. About histological aspects, the most common type – adenoma – was present in 75.1% polyps, of which 74.2% were tubular and 21.7% were serrated. Among the non-adenomatous polyps, hyperplastic prevailed with 88.7% cases. Malignancy was observed in 100 cases (2.15%). Conclusion This study showed higher incidence of colorectal polyps in women, although adenocarcinomas are equally distributed in both sexes. In addition, the average age of patients undergoing colonoscopy is decreasing. Furthermore, 2.15% polyps sent for pathology analysis were found to be malignant.