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Tubulovillous Adenoma of Colon
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Tubulovillous Adenoma of Colon

A polypoid/partly sessile polyp is present in the cecum adjacent to the Ileolcecal Valve.
The partly sessile nature of the polyp suggests a tubulovillous or villous adenoma.
Malignancy can not be determined based of the gross appearance.
(Description By:Martin Nadel, M.D. )
(Image Contrib. by: Saint Francis Hospital )
Adenoma, Tubulovillous
Etiology

The dysplasia-adenoma-carcinoma sequence occurs in the setting of increasing loss of heterozygosity in genes involved in: DNA replication accuracy(mismatch repair)-Chromosomes 2 and 3; tumor suppression-Chromosomes 5,18, and 17; and oncogene activation-chromosomes 5,17,and 18
A hereditary predisposition to cancer is found in 1% of colorectal carcinoma patients with the Adenoma Polyposis Coli Syndrome involving Chr.5, and in 5-10% of patients with Hereditary Non-Polyposis(Lynch Syndromes) gene changes on Chr 2 and 3
For each patient loss of heterogosity must occur in multiple genes
Pathogenesis

Two pathways are commonly hypothesized to account for the known environmental, dietary and genetic predispositions to colorectal carcinoma. Both eventuate in loss of gene heterozygosity
The first of these postulate mucosal damage either through dietary induction of increased bile acid production or the direct affect of dietary and environmental carcinogens. This leads to increased mucosal cellular proliferative activity and an increase risk for gene match failure
The second postulates a direct genotoxic affect possibly mediated through production of oxygen free radicals
As increased numbers of defective gene growth regulators are formed, increased abnormal cellular activity eventuates in carcinoma,
Epidemiology

Tubulovillous adenomas have the same epidemiology as colorectal carcinoma but occur at an earlier age
General Gross Description

Tubulovillous adenomas are polyps and may be pedunculated or have a broad base
They are generally not as sessile as true villous adenomas
Their surface may have a fissured appearance similar to tubular adenomas, or they may appear more granular
The surface is red brown and benignancy can not be predicted from their gross appearance
General Microscopic Description
Clinical Correlation

Tubulovillous polyps are defined as adenomatous polyps with a villous component of 25-50%
Their epithelium is identical to other adenomatous polyps, and the diagnosis is purely a pattern diagnosis
References
Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease 5th ed, Cotran, RS, et al, WB Saunders Philadelphia 1994 p814
Adenoma, Tubulovillous
Synopsis by: Martin Nadel M.D. (T67000M82630)[501]
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