A tubular adenoma is an abnormal growth of tubular cells that can develop in the gut. It generally does not cause any type of symptoms, but can be identified during an intestinal colonoscopy.

A tubular adenoma is typically considered to be a benign finding, and has a low risk for developing in to cancer. However, depending on the degree of changes in the cells, it may be a sign of a precancerous lesion.

When a tubular adenoma is identified, it is typically monitored on a routine basis, especially in people who present with risk factors like a high-fat diet, alcohol abuse or smoking.

Confirming a diagnosis

Most cases of tubular adenoma do not lead to any signs or symptoms, however some people may experience changes in bowel habits, like a change in the color of stools, abdominal pain and symptoms related to anemia, like fatigue and pallor.

Tubular adenomas are usually identified during a colonoscopy, which is a test ordered by the gastroenterologist or general practitioner that assesses the intestinal lining with a small camera.

Are tubular adenomas serious?

Most cases of tubular adenoma are not serious, but routine monitoring is necessary to check its progress periodically. In some cases, the lesion can be removed during colonoscopy for further analysis in the laboratory. This analysis can help to determine the degree of abnormalities in the cells.

Changes in tubular adenoma cells can be characterized by their grade of dysplasia:

Low-grade dysplasia: this is a type of mild or moderate changes on a cellular level, and it does not resemble cancer cells;
High-grade dysplasia: this is the type in which the cells present with more significant changes, which may be precancerous.

Tubular adenomas that are classified with high-grade dysplasia require more regular medical monitoring and more frequent colonoscopies, as these have a greater risk for developing into cancerous cells.

Treatment options

Tubular adenomas are often considered to be benign and do not require any specific treatment.

The development of tubular adenomas are often related to lifestyle and dietary habits. Therefore, if they are identified, your doctor may recommend improving your diet and increasing your intake of vegetables and high-fiber foods while reducing high-fat foods. This can help to reduce the growth of the adenoma and reduce the risk of malignancy.

Tubular adenomas that are associated with a higher risk for developing into cancer can be removed during colonoscopy.