The colonoscopist's guide to the vocabulary of colorectal neoplasia: histology, morphology, and management

Abstract

Prevention of colorectal cancer by colonoscopy requires effective and safe insertion technique, high level detection of precancerous lesions, and skillful use of curative endoscopic resection techniques. Lesion detection, characterization, use of appropriate resection methods, prediction of cancer at colonoscopy, and management of malignant polyps, all depend on an accurate and complete understanding of an extensive vocabulary describing the histology and morphology of neoplastic colorectal lesions. Incomplete understanding of vocabulary terms can lead to management errors. We provide a colonoscopist’s perspective on the vocabulary of colorectal neoplasia, and discuss the interaction of specific terms with management decisions.