Rectal polyps

From Felipedia

Rectal polyps are also easy to find once they are far advanced, but in the early stages they are very easy to miss on physical examination because they are soft and feel like a fold of mucosa. It is impossible to distinguish a benign polyp from a malignant mucosal growth on physical examination or at endoscopy--histopathology is necessary. It is valuable to biopsy such lesions using a rigid biopsy forceps (as opposed to a flexible biopsy forceps) as this type allows a larger sample that can easily include copious amounts of submucosa. Being able to examine the submucosa can really help the pathologist decide if the mass is benign or malignant in difficult cases. Finding epithelial cells in the submucosa is prima facia evidence of malignancy. Fortunately, it is extremely rare that benign polyps undergo malignant transformation. If the polyp is removed entirely, it should not recur. Surgical removal after everting the rectal mucosa is the preferred way to remove such polyps. One may try electrocautery loops through a flexible endoscope, but this is probably not to be recommended unless the polyp is far enough inside the rectum that it cannot be everted during surgery.