From the Guidelines
A tubular adenoma is a type of benign (non-cancerous) polyp that grows in the colon or rectum, characterized by a tubular microscopic structure with glandular tissue arranged in tube-like formations, and is considered precancerous due to its potential to develop into colorectal cancer if left untreated, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1.
Definition and Characteristics
- A tubular adenoma is a common type of polyp, accounting for about 80% of all polyps removed during colonoscopies.
- These polyps have a tubular microscopic structure, with glandular tissue arranged in tube-like formations.
- They are considered precancerous lesions because they have the potential to develop into colorectal cancer if left untreated.
Risk Factors and Associations
- The risk of cancer transformation is related to the size of the adenoma (larger than 1 cm poses higher risk), the presence of high-grade dysplasia (abnormal cell growth), and whether there are villous components (another growth pattern) 1.
- The development of these polyps is associated with age (more common after 50), family history, certain genetic conditions, smoking, alcohol consumption, and diets high in red meat and low in fiber.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- When discovered during a colonoscopy, tubular adenomas are typically removed completely through polypectomy.
- After removal, patients usually require follow-up colonoscopies at intervals determined by the number, size, and characteristics of the polyps found, generally ranging from 3-10 years, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1.
From the Research
Definition of Tubular Adenoma
- A tubular adenoma is a type of neoplastic polyp found in the colon, also known as an adenomatous polyp 2, 3, 4.
- It is the most common type of adenoma, accounting for 65-80% of all adenomatous polyps 2.
- Tubular adenomas are typically small, with 90% of polyps less than 1 cm in diameter being of this type 2.
Characteristics and Risk Factors
- Tubular adenomas have a lower risk of malignant transformation compared to villous or tubulovillous adenomas 3, 4.
- However, the risk of malignancy increases with the size of the polyp, with larger polyps having a higher risk of cancerous changes 3, 5.
- Other risk factors for malignization include patient age, polyp morphology, and degree of dysplasia 5, 4.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Colonoscopy is a non-invasive method for diagnosing and treating colorectal polyps, including tubular adenomas 2, 3, 6.
- Early detection and removal of neoplastic polyps, including tubular adenomas, can help prevent the development of colorectal cancer 2, 3, 4.
- Endoscopic polypectomy is a common treatment for tubular adenomas, and is usually sufficient for small polyps with no high-grade dysplasia or cancer 6.