Colon Polyps (Online CE Course)

Author: Kristen Meyer, BS, HTL(ASCP), QIHC(ASCP)
Reviewer: Erika Caceres, BS, HTL(ASCP)

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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours (acceptable for AMT, ASCP, and state recertification): 1 hour(s)
Approved through 9/30/2027
Approved through 9/30/2027

Objectives

  • Identify microscopic structures in the colon.
  • Explain the development and collection of polyps from the colon.
  • Define types of polyps by their macroscopic and microscopic features.
  • Describe the use of special stains, IHC, PCR, and NGS methods for the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancers.

Course Outline

Click on the links below to preview selected pages from this course.
  • Content Pages
      • Introduction
      • Screening for Colorectal Cancer
      • Anatomy of the Colon and Rectum
      • The proximal colon is made up of which two sections?
      • Histology of the Colon and Rectum: Mucosa
      • Histology of the Colon and Rectum: Submucosa and Muscularis Externa
      • Which specialized cell produces and secretes mucus in the colon?
      • Crypts of Liberkuhn are tubular structures that extend from the surface of the intestinal lining down to the submucosa and are lined with which cells?
      • Development of Colon Polyps
      • Collection of Colon Biopsies
      • Collection of Colon Polyps
      • Types of Polyps
      • Which type of colon polyp is most common?
      • Polyps that show a microscopic appearance that is saw-like or toothed are classified as what?
      • Fixation and Processing
      • Paraffin Embedding
      • Acid Mucins
      • Acid Mucins: Mucicarmine and Alcian Blue
      • Acid Mucins: Colloidal Iron and PAS
      • Elastic and Amyloid
      • Adjusting the pH of this stain allows visualization of a specific type of acid mucin.
      • Which type of polyp should be identified using the Congo Red amyloid stain and the Verhoeff-Van Gieson elastic stain?
      • Cytokeratins
      • CDX2
      • What is the expression profile of CK7 and CK20 in the colon?
      • Mismatch Repair Proteins
      • MLH1/PMS2
      • MSH2/MSH6
      • RAS and HER2
      • Mismatch repair proteins work in pairs; which is the correct pair?
      • Which additional marker should be tested when a tumor is negative for MLH1/PMS2?
      • Conclusion
  • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: This course is designed for professionals working in the field of anatomic pathology, specifically histotechnicians, histotechnologists, and pathology assistants. This course is also appropriate for HT, HTL, and PA students and pathology residents.
Author Information: Kristen Meyer, BS, HTL(ASCP), QIHC(ASCP), is the Manager of Anatomic Pathology Services for Kaiser Permanente in Portland, OR. She graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Upon graduation, she began working in a hospital as a clinical lab assistant, and from there became interested in Histotechnology after observing gross dissections of specimens in the Pathology department. Since then, she has worked in the Histopathology field for over 20 years in various roles, including Histotechnologist, Technical Specialist, Supervisor, and Manager.
The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information: Erika Caceres, BS, HTL(ASCP), has nearly eight years of experience as a histotechnologist, progressing from bench technician to pathology supervisor. She has expertise in tissue preparation, staining, and advanced histological techniques, including immunohistochemistry. Her leadership roles at Atrium Health involved directing workflow, optimizing antibodies, and ensuring compliance with CAP and CLIA regulations. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Queens University of Charlotte, where she focused on microbiology and cell biology, followed by completing her Histotechnology training at Carolinas College of Health Sciences.

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