Colorectal polyps in autopsy material. Part I. Adenomatous polyps.

In prospective studies specimens of the large bowel were obtained from 733 autopsy cases. After fixing they were examined under illuminated magnifying lens and all polypous lesions were excised for histological analysis and classified according to Correa's criteria (8). Adenomatous polyps were found in 280 cases (38.2%) and their prevalence increased with age in both sexes. Adenomatous polyps, also multiple were found most frequently in the transverse colon, and then ascending colon, sigmoid, descending colon and rectum. The mean number of adenomatous polyps per positive specimen was 2.33 for men and 2.60 for women. In 6.8% their diameter was > or = 10 mm. The prevalence of polyps with severe degree of dysplasia (III degree) increased from proximal to distal segments of the colon in both sexes and their prevalence is significantly higher in the ascending colon in women. In the whole series there were 6 adenocarcinomas of 5-18 mm in size, all in women over 80 years of age. The results of the present study were compared with the data concerning other populations of the world. In the light of a repeatedly confirmed a generally accepted relationship between adenoma and adenocarcinoma of the large intestine the results of our study seem to underestimate the prevalence of colon adenocarcinoma in the population of Cracow and Cracow district.