When your colon was biopsied, the samples taken were studied under the microscope by a specialized doctor with many years of training called a pathologist. The pathologist sends your doctor a report that gives a diagnosis for each sample taken. Information in this report will be used to help manage your care. The information here is meant to help you understand medical language you might find in the pathology report from the colon biopsy.
Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the cells that form glands making mucus to lubricate the inside of the colon and rectum. This is the most common type of colon cancer.
A polyp is a projection (growth) of tissue from the inner lining of the colon into the lumen (hollow center) of the colon.
Polyps that tend to grow as slightly flattened, broad-based polyps are referred to as sessile. Serrated polyps are polyps that have a saw tooth appearance under the microscope.