ABSTRACT
A polyp is a grossly visible protrusion extending into the colonic lumen from the mucosa or submucosa. Understanding polyps is important because of the symptoms they create as well as their potential to become malignant [1]. Colonic polyps may present as asymptomatic lesions that are discovered during endoscopy or on barium enema, or they may produce symptoms of bleeding, intussusception, or obstruction. The various types of polyps include hamartomas, hyperplastic colonic epithelium, inflammatory polyps, and neoplastic lesions. Neoplastic polyps have the potential to deteriorate into carcinoma. This chapter discusses normal colonic histology, the major classes of polyps, and the polyposis syndromes.
