Background: An understanding of the natural history of colorectal polyps is relevant to the management of colorectal cancer.
Aim: To study the frequency, morphology, and histopathology of colorectal polyps in a metropolis of Niger Delta region, Nigeria.
Patients and methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study of consecutive cases of colonoscopy performed at a referral endoscopy facility in Port Harcourt metropolis, Niger Delta region of Nigeria, from March 2014 to March 2020. Variables collated included demographics, primary indication, site, morphology and histopathology of colorectal polyps. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 20, Armonk. NY, USA.
Results: A total of 496 colonoscopies were performed during the study period. The age range of patients was 4 years to 92 years (mean 54.7± 13.0). There were 357 males and 139 females. The leading primary indications for colonoscopy were gastrointestinal bleeding, routine screening for colorectal cancer and abdominal pain/discomfort in 220 (44.4%), 89 (17.9%) and 66 (13.3%) cases respectively. Colorectal polyps were recorded in 111 (22.4%) patients with a M: F of 2.7:1 and peak incidence in the 6th decade of life 53 (47.7%) cases. Majority of the polyps were seen in the colon segments extending from rectum to splenic flexure 59 (63.4%). Inflammatory, adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps were seen in 51(50.0%), 39(38.2%) and 10(9.8%) cases respectively and a sole case of malignant polyp was recorded.
Conclusion: Adult colorectal polyps are seen predominantly in males above 50 years of age, and in the left colon. Tubular adenoma with low grade dysplasia is the most prevalent neoplastic polyp.