Endoscopic features of villous tumors of the colon: correlation with histological findings.

Data obtained from thirty patients with villous or tubulovillous tumors of the colon were examined in a search for correlations between histological and endoscopic features. There was a good correlation between the two findings. As villous elements became more prominent in the histology, finely granular and/or villous surface patterns, adherent mucus, and a characteristic color (slightly reddish with white spots) were seen more frequently in the endoscopic photographs. These findings are considered to be typical endoscopic features of villous tumor of the colon. Endoscopy using the sprayed dye technique is useful for visualizing the finely granular and/or villous surface pattern.