ABSTRACT
Any localized lesion projecting from the mucosa may be regarded as a polyp. Pedunculated polyps are usually less than 3 cm in diameter, but sessile polyps may be considerably larger.
The key to the handling of polyps is to provide a block that ensures a complete section through its stalk, base and head. Small polyps should be embedded whole, with instructions to cut well into
the stalk. The danger of bisecting small polyps through the stalk is that, during trimming of the block, the stalk is trimmed away. Polyps just too large to make one block may be sliced eccentrically (Fig. 15.1). The larger block will contain the complete stalk. Large polyps with an obvious thick stalk can be trimmed such that at least one block, or a composite, generates a complete view of head, stalk and base. All tissues must be embedded in order to detect focal areas of severe dysplasia, particularly at the base. It is useful to remember that carcinoma most frequently arises in the centre of adenomas.
