The Adenoma reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Adenoma

Adenoma refers to a collection of growths (-oma) of glandular origin. Adenomas can grow from many organs including the colon, adrenal, thyroid, etc. These growths are benign, but some are known to have the potential, over time, to transform to malignancy.

Adenomas of the colon are quite prevalent. They are found commonly at colonoscopy. They are removed because of their tendency to become malignant and lead to colon cancer. Removal is simple and painless at the time of colonoscopy.

Adrenal adenomas are common (1 in 10 people have them), benign and asymptomatic. They are found on CAT scan of the adbomen, usually not as the focus of investigation; they are usually incidental findings. About one in 10,000 is malignant. Thus, a biopsy is rarely called for. Followup images in three to six months can cofirm the stability of the growth. The malignant growth of the adrenal is called adrenal adenocarcinoma.

About one in 10 people are found to have solitary thyroid nodules. Investigation is required because a small percentage of these are malignant. Biopsy usually confirms the growth to be an adenoma, but sometimes, excision at surgery is required, especially when the cells found at biopsy are of the follicular type.

This is the "Adenoma" reference article from the English Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. See also our Disclaimer.