What is a colonic adenoma?
Dec 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Li Feng
Introduction
Colonic adenoma is a benign tumor that protrudes from the mucosal surface of the colon into the intestinal lumen, formed by excessive proliferation of colonic epithelial cells. It may be associated with factors such as genetics, diet, and intestinal inflammation. Symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits warrant prompt medical evaluation. Individuals with a family history of colonic adenoma or colorectal cancer have an increased risk of developing the condition.
Colonic adenoma is a benign tumor that protrudes from the colonic mucosal surface into the intestinal lumen, formed by excessive proliferation of colonic epithelial cells. It may be associated with factors such as genetics, diet, and intestinal inflammation. If symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, or changes in bowel habits occur, timely medical evaluation is necessary.
1. Genetic factors: Individuals with a family history of colonic adenoma or colorectal cancer have an increased risk of developing the condition. Inherited genetic predispositions can lead to abnormal regulation of colonic epithelial cell proliferation, thereby increasing the likelihood of adenoma formation.
2. Dietary factors: A long-term diet high in fat and low in dietary fiber reduces intestinal motility and increases exposure of the colonic mucosa to harmful substances in feces, which may trigger abnormal epithelial cell proliferation and adenoma development.
3. Intestinal inflammatory factors: Chronic inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease cause persistent irritation to the colonic mucosa, leading to abnormal mucosal repair. Repeated cycles of injury and repair increase the risk of adenomatous hyperplasia.
4. Age factor: With advancing age, intestinal function gradually declines, colonic epithelial cell metabolism slows down, and the risk of genetic mutations increases. The incidence of colonic adenoma rises significantly in individuals over 40 years old.
5. Unhealthy lifestyle habits: Long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome and reduce immune function, indirectly increasing the risk of colonic adenoma.
Treatment primarily involves surgical removal, with endoscopic resection or open surgery selected based on the size, number, and location of the adenomas. Post-treatment care includes maintaining a low-fat, high-fiber diet, regular bowel habits, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, engaging in moderate exercise, and undergoing periodic colonoscopic follow-ups to reduce the risks of recurrence and malignant transformation.
