What percentage of colon polyps become malignant for colon cancer?

This question was asked in Irvine, California on 02/06/2012.
Are most polyps found during a colonoscopy considered cancerous? Why are so many of them cancerous?

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Doctors Answers (1)

Harsha Vittal, M.D.
Answered on: 2/7/2012 5

About 1% of colon polyps are cancerous. The rest are called adenomas and are precancerous lesions. It is not possible to determine which ones are worrisome until they are removed. This can be done easily and safely during the colonoscopy.