Correlation 10: Colon polyp

This is a small polyp on a stalk of normal colonic glandular epithelium. The cells of the polyp are more crowded and form glands that are more disorganized. These neoplastic cells have larger, darker nuclei.

The normal epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract is constantly replacing itself over just a matter of days. When cells are actively proliferating, there is a chance that mutations arise within those cells. Some of those mutations can turn on growth promoting factors or turn off growth control factors. Loss of control over growth of cells leads to the process of neoplasia, or formation of a tumor. Accumulations of mutations in the colon can produce small tumors known as polyps. Accumulation of additional mutations leads to further loss of control and formation of a cancer. The goal of cancer screening is to find small tumors before they have had a chance to spread. A small polyp can be removed during colonoscopy.