From the Guidelines
The medical term for a growth on top of a long base like a polyp is a pedunculated lesion. This describes a growth that is attached to the surface by a stalk or pedicle, giving it a mushroom-like appearance. Pedunculated polyps are common in areas like the colon, stomach, uterus, and skin. The stalk (or peduncle) contains blood vessels that supply the growth with nutrients. This structure distinguishes pedunculated lesions from sessile growths, which attach directly to tissue surfaces without a stalk. According to the study by the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer 1, pedunculated lesions are defined as those attached to the mucosa by a stalk, with the base of the lesion being narrow.
The pedunculated nature of these growths often makes them easier to remove during procedures like polypectomy, as the narrow stalk can be severed while preserving surrounding tissue. In colonoscopies, for example, pedunculated polyps can typically be removed using a snare technique, as described in the study by Marie E. Robert 1. The term comes from the Latin word "pedunculus" meaning "little foot," which aptly describes the stalk-like base that supports the main body of the growth. Key characteristics of pedunculated lesions include:
- Attachment to the mucosa by a stalk
- Narrow base
- Protrusion from the mucosa into the lumen
- Presence of blood vessels in the stalk that supply the growth with nutrients
In contrast, sessile lesions are those that attach directly to the tissue surface without a stalk, and are often more challenging to remove. The distinction between pedunculated and sessile lesions is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment approach, as pedunculated lesions can often be removed endoscopically, while sessile lesions may require more invasive procedures.
From the Research
Medical Term for Explaining a Growth on Top of a Long Base like Polyp
- The medical term for a growth on top of a long base like a polyp is a pedunculated polyp 2, 3, 4.
- Pedunculated polyps are characterized by a stalk or peduncle that attaches the polyp to the intestinal wall 2, 3, 4.
- The stalk of a pedunculated polyp can be wide or narrow, and its length can vary 2, 3, 4.
- Pedunculated polyps can be removed using various endoscopic techniques, including polypectomy, endoscopic mucosal resection, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- ESD is a technique that involves dissecting the polyp stalk at the base, allowing for en bloc resection of the polyp and its stalk 2, 3, 4.
- The feasibility and safety of ESD for large pedunculated polyps with wide stalks have been demonstrated in several studies 2, 3, 4.