[Mucous membrane hyperplasia of the rectum--a clarification requiring biopsy]

The frequency of mucosal hyperplasia adjacent to the tumor was determined in 177 rectal biopsies with a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. Previous rectal biopsies in these patients were analyzed. In a further step associated clinical and morphological findings were determined in 75 patients with mucosal hypertrophy on rectal biopsy. Half of these patients could be followed prospectively. Pathogenetic aspects of hyperplastic rectal mucosa are discussed. The need for improved clarification of the importance of these mucosal lesions particularly in unclear clinical situations is emphasized.