What kind of polyps are prone to malignant transformation?

  To determine whether a polyp will become malignant mainly depends on the following aspects: First, the look of the polyp: the kind of non-tumor polyp with a small volume by the tip, most of the good people with polyps, generally not easy to malignant; if the larger size, wide base and wide tip of the polyp, there is a strong possibility of malignant transformation into cancer.  Second, the number of polyps: a simple polyp has a low rate of cancer; and multiple polyps have an increased chance of cancer.  Third, the tissue properties of polyps: simple inflammatory polyps are less likely to become malignant, while adenomatous polyps, especially villous adenoma, are most likely to become colon cancer.  Fourth, the growth rate of polyps: benign polyps mostly grow very slowly, but if they grow rapidly in a short period of time, with a diameter greater than 2 cm or more, they should be alert to cancerous changes. Such as colonic adenomatous polyps is due to excessive proliferation of colonic mucosal cells, the cancer rate can reach 42%-77%.  Fifth, is to look at the family genetic history: there is a so-called “familial polyposis”, refers to the same family in the next generation can have several people suffering from colon polyps, belongs to the autosomal dominant genetic disease, is caused by a defect in the genes of chromosome 5 in the cell. If one parent has polyposis, 50% of the polyps in the offspring have a risk of malignant transformation; if both parents have polyposis, the risk of cancerous polyps in the offspring can rise to 75%.