[Inflammatory fibroid polyps of the colon]

Inflammatory fibroid polyp is an uncommon lesion involving the stomach, the small bowel and occasionally the colon. Inflammatory fibroid polyp is a large polypoid lesion arising from the submucosa. It has no malignant potential although extensive infiltration may occur. The main histological characteristics are diffuse inflammatory infiltrate with eosinophils and highly vascularized fibrocytic stroma. Immunohistochemistry is always positive for vimentine and negative for S 100 and desmin. We report four cases of inflammatory fibroid polyps, 3 of which mimicked carcinoma of the colon. Exploratory laparotomy and histopathological examination of the resected specimen were necessary to confirm definitive diagnosis. In the last case, diagnosis was established by histological examination of an endoscopically-removed colonic polyp.