Colon

Colon biopsies are most often performed for one of three reasons:

• 1. To evaluate a polyp or mass

• 2. To study a patient with inflammatory bowel disease and monitor dysplasia

• 3. To look for an explanation for diarrhea

The history is very important; you should not be diagnosing a tubular adenoma when the endoscopist did not see a polyp. You may also be missing a more ominous diagnosis (discussed later). Assuming that you have at least a succinct history or description from the endoscopist, therefore, your approach to the biopsy depends on what you are looking for.