Definition: An adenoma is a pre-cancerous (benign) growth that may occur in the colon. Adenomas arise from or resemble glands and can lead to colon cancer. This means that if left untreated, some adenomas eventually will develop into colon cancer. If an adenoma becomes cancerous, it is called an adenocarcinoma. Fortunately, adenomas typically are easy to find and to remove before they become cancerous, during routine colon cancer screening tests, such as a colonoscopy or a flexible sigmoidoscopy.
Pronunciation: add-en-oh-ma
Also Known As: polyp, growth, benign tumor, adenomatous polyp
