Serrated adenomas of the colon – their relation to gender and age

Introduction: In recent years, a new type of colorectal polyps has been described, so-called serrated adenomas. Serrated adenomas are formed by transformation of some hyperplastic polyps and present a possibility for malignant transformation. Serrated adenoma development has a different background of genetic disorders than adenomas with classic Vogelstein adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Aim of the study: To determine the frequency and location of serrated adenomas amongst all colorectal polyps and to assess their occurrence in male and female populations in various age groups. Selected pathomorphological features of serrated adenomas were also analysed, depending on the gender and their location. Material and methods: In the years 2000-2006 ca. 7200 colonoscopies were conducted and in 797 persons polyp colorectal lesions were diagnosed. A further analysis covered patients in whom serrated adenomas were diagnosed in pathomorphological tests (88 serrated adenomas in 64 persons). Results: The largest number of serrated adenomas in the whole studied population was found in the elderly population, especially in the proximal colon. The average size of serrated adenomas and the grade of dysplasia were higher in the proximal part of the large intestine. The statistically significantly higher incidence of serrated adenomas was observed in the group of men. Conclusions: Serrated adenomas and their precursors (hyperplastic polyps) are pre-cancer lesions. The most suspicious lesions are serrated adenomas located in the proximal part of the colon, especially in older male patients.