Macroscopic and histologic study of colorectal polyps: A cross-sectional study from Iran

Background: Polyp occurrence in the colon or rectum often raises question and distress for patients and their family. Due to the proven effects of geographic variations and nutritional habits on the incidence of these polyps, the difference in Iranian lifestyle habits, and the cost of screening, conducting an accurate study on aforementioned factors looks essential. In the current study, we aimed to assess various characteristics of this important group of disease. Materials and Methods: In this research work, sex, age, location, and macroscopic and pathologic features of 295 specimens from 200 patients, which are sent to the pathology unit of Shohada-e-Tajrish Referral Hospital (2014–2016) as a colonic polyp or reported as a colonic polyp, were investigated. Results: Our results are similar to Western countries revealing the polyp prevalence is greater in men and higher in >50 years old, located more in rectum, commonly with sessile appearance and the most pathologic types are adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps. The prevalence of ascending colon polyps rises after 50 years old (P = 0.007). There is a meaningful relationship between age and macroscopic features (P = 0.02). Polyps which are sent from >50-year-old patients and the right side of the colon carry a higher risk for malignancy (P = 0.00). Pedunculated polyps are more prone to be neoplastic (P = 0.00). The prevalence of pedunculated polyps and right-sided polyps, which were sent from the right side, is more in men. Sessile serrated polyps/adenomas were more common in men and were located in the proximal part of the colon (P = 0.005), although unexpectedly two of them were sent from the sigmoid colon. As expected, villous adenomas just were sent from the distal part of the colon and rectum. Two phytobezoars were sent as a colonic polyp. Polyposis syndromes have low incidence; their prevalence was equal in both age (P = 0.124) and sex (P = 1). Conclusions: Based on our research work, further studies into the characteristics of polyps in Iranian lifestyle habits would be of great interest.