Endoscopic removal of submucosal colonic lipomas

Although lipomas of the colon are second only to adenomatous polyps in frequency of benign lesions of the large bowel, they occur relatively rarely. These lesions are reported to be symptomatic in 15% to 91% of cases. Endoscopically, the lipoma is soft and pliable and appears globular and covered by pale "normal" tunica mucosa. The treatment of choice is colonoscopy and snare excision because of the potential hazards of bleeding and bowel obstruction and because the diagnosis can be confirmed only by histologic examination.