The key difference between neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps is that neoplastic polyps have the potential to become cancer, while non-neoplastic polyps do not have the potential to become cancer.
A polyp is a growth of tissue from a surface in the human body. They usually occur from the surfaces like mucous membranes in the body. Often, there is no obvious cause for polyps’ growth. Moreover, polyps can develop mainly in the areas of the body such as the colon and rectum, ear canal, cervix, stomach, nose, uterus, throat, and bladder. Neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps are two different types of polyps.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Neoplastic Polyps
3. What are Non-neoplastic Polyps
4. Similarities – Neoplastic and Non-neoplastic Polyps
5. Neoplastic vs Non-neoplastic Polyps in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Neoplastic vs Non-neoplastic Polyps
What are Neoplastic Polyps?
Neoplastic polyps are a type of polyps that have the potential to become cancer. Neoplastic polyps can lead to a type of cancer called carcinoma. Generally, when neoplastic polyps are larger, the risk of cancer is greater. Moreover, these neoplastic polyps have the potential to become cancer if enough time is given for them to grow. These polyps look different than other polyps under a microscope. Neoplastic polyps are normally adenomatous, carcinomatous, and serrate types. Adenomatous polyps can lead to invasive colon or rectal carcinoma. They are grouped into three subtypes; they are villous, tubulovillous, and tubular adenoma. A villous subtype is more likely to progress into cancer, followed by a tubulovillous subtype and, finally tubular subtype. About 10-30% of adenomatous are familial due to genetic variation. The other risk factors include increasing age and a high-fat diet. Carcinomatous polyps are also likely to lead to cancer or spread to lymph nodes.
Most colon polyps are adenomas. Serrated polyps have a saw-tooth appearance under a microscope. Serrated polyps can be benign or can become cancerous depending on their size and location in the colon.
What are Non-neoplastic polyps?
Non-neoplastic polyps are a type of polyps that will not become cancerous. There are many types of non-neoplastic polyps, such as hyperplastic polyps and inflammatory pseudopolyps. Colon polyps can be hyperplastic in nature. These are in the non-neoplastic category. Some patients with these polyps have a specific syndrome called hyperplastic polyposis syndrome. This makes them more at risk of getting more of these polyps. Hyperplastic polyposis syndrome is a rare condition defined by the number of hyperplastic polyps, their size, and their location.
Furthermore, inflammatory pseudopolyps are not often called polyps. This is because they are formed when ulcers in the colon heal, which leaves the mucosa looking like a polyp. There can be one or more inflammatory pseudopolyps with varying sizes (small to large). In addition, inflammatory pseudopolyps can develop after severe conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and ischemic colitis.
What are the Similarities Between Neoplastic and Non-neoplastic Polyps?
- Neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps are two different types of polyps.
- Both these polyps mainly occur in the colon and rectum.
- They project the growth of tissues from a surface in the human body.
- Their sizes can vary from small to large.
What is the Difference Between Neoplastic and Non-neoplastic Polyps?
Neoplastic polyps have the potential to become cancer, while non-neoplastic polyps do not have the potential to become cancer. Thus, this is the key difference between neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps. Furthermore, neoplastic polyps are grouped into three main types; they are adenomatous, carcinomatous, and serrate types. Non-neoplastic polyps, on the other hand, are grouped into two main types; they are hyperplastic polyps and inflammatory pseudopolyps.
The below infographic presents the differences between neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Neoplastic vs Non-neoplastic Polyps
Neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps are two different types of polyps. Both these polys vary in size (small to large). However, neoplastic polyps have the potential to become cancer. In contrast, non-neoplastic polyps have no potential to become cancerous. So, this is the key difference between neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps.
Reference:
1. “Neoplastic Polyps.” Webpathology.com: A Collection of Surgical Pathology Images.
2. “Non-Neoplastic Colorectal Polyps.” Current Diagnostic Pathology, Churchill Livingstone, 12 Nov. 2007.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Familial adenomatous polyposis” By Dr. Roshan Nasimudeen – Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Kozikode (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Non-neoplastic changes” By NonneoplasidrawDH.JPG: user:DennisHansenderivative work: Icewalker cs (talk) – NonneoplasidrawDH.JPG (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia