[Anatomopathological aspects of colorectal polyps in Cameroon]

In order to present the main types of colo-rectal polyps in Cameroon, we reviewed all those cases received and examined in our Pathology laboratories during a six and a half year period (1st January 1984-30th June 1990). The polyps were sent by gastro-enterologists after resection during total colonoscopy, with information about age and sex of patients, signs and symptoms and sites and number of polyps. One hundred and two colorectal polyps were taken from 88 patients with a maximum of two polyps per patient. Out of these 102 polyps, we noted: 55 juvenile polyps (54%), 23 hyperplastic polyps (22.5%), 13 adenomatous polyps (12.5%), 10 inflammatory polyps (10%) and one polyp of the Peutz-Jeghers type. One case of hyperplastic polyposis and one of familial polyposis with adenomas on histological examination were registered. On the whole, juvenile polyps predominated and adenomas which can become carcinomas were less frequent than what is seen in Western developed countries. This may be due to the fact that the polyps we examined were only taken only from patients seen in outpatient department for gastrointestinal complaints.