Sessile serrated polyps ((the most common type of serrated polyps) have been found to be a precursor of colorectal cancer. Even though more research needs to be done, it is believed that these types of polyps cause many “interval” colorectal cancers (cancers that occur after colonoscopy, but before the next schedule examination).

Sessile serrated polyps account for 2% to 9% of all polyps removed at colonoscopy. These polyps are commonly found in the proximal colon and have been associated with women and cigarette smoking. Other factors such as cigarette smoking, obesity, dietary fat intake, total caloric intake, and the consumption of red meat increases the risk of serrated polyps, including sessile serrated polyps. Some of the most common characteristics of these polyps include subtle, flat or slightlyslight elevation, and they can be covered with yellow mucus. They are also usually larger than typical adenomas and are 50% of the times larger than 10mm 50% of the time.

It is important to take into consideration that the ability to detect sessile serrated polyps depends on the skill of the pathologist. Patients with any type of serrated neoplasms have a higher probability to developof developing multiple types of serrated polyps and advanced adenomatous neoplasia. Moreover, people who had one sessile serrated polypspolyp were four times more likely to have more serrated polyps than the onesthose that did not have them. The recommended postpolypectomy colonoscopic surveillance is the following: 5 years if the sessile serrated polyps were less than 10mm without dysplasia (average-risk patients) and 3 years if they were greater than 10mm or with dysplasia, or a traditional serrated adenoma (high-risk patient).