Sessile serrated adenoma: From identification to resection

Until the past two decades, almost all colorectal polyps were divided into two main groups: hyperplastic polyps and adenomas. Sessile serrated adenomas presented endoscopic, pathological and molecular profiles distinct from others polyps. Previously under-diagnosed, physicians now identified sessile serrated adenomas. The serrated neoplastic pathway is accounting for up to one-third of all sporadic colorectal cancers and sessile serrated adenomas have been identified as the main precursor lesions in serrated carcinogenesis. By analogy with the adenoma-adenocarcinoma sequence, the sessile serrated adenomas-adenocarcinoma sequence, has been identified. The development of endoscopic resection techniques permits the consideration of a non-surgical approach as the first option regardless of the size of the lesion. Sessile serrated adenoma warrants the watchfulness of physicians and requires an optimal quality of the colonoscopy procedure, a thorough evaluation of the lesion, an adequate endoscopic resection and follow-up colonoscopies in accordance with sessile serrated adenomas guidelines. We herein present a review on sessile serrated adenomas focusing on their pathological specificities, epidemiology, treatment modalities and follow-up. (C) 2014 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.