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The management of malignant colonic polyps removed by endoscopic polypectomy is a controversial subject. We reported a series of 81 patients with 82 malignant polyps removed by endoscopic polypectomy between 1977 and 1984. 15 polyps contained carcinoma in situ and were treated by endoscopic polypectomy alone. 36 polyps contained superficial cancer; 35 were treated by EP alone; 1 was treated by endoscopic polypectomy and colectomy. 26 polyps contained invasive carcinoma and 2 were classified as polypoid adenocarcinomas. 19 had clear resection margins at polypectomy and seven had involved resection margins: 17 were treated by endoscopic polypectomy alone, 9 were treated by endoscopic polypectomy and colectomy. The patients were followed with colonoscopy. Follow-up has been 6 to 74 months (mean 32 months). The patients whose polyps were treated by endoscopic polypectomy alone, had had no evidence of recurrent tumor at the polypectomy site. Of the 12 patients undergoing colectomy, 4 had residual tumor at the polypectomy site. No patients had involved lymph nodes. There was no evidence of recurrence in any of these cases. Polyps containing contained carcinoma in situ and superficial cancer, polyps containing invasive carcinoma and clear resection margins can be treated with endoscopic polypectomy alone. Polyps with invasive carcinoma and involved resection margins should undergo segmental colonic resection. This approach must be weighed against the age of the patient, the medical status and the morbidity and mortality of the surgical procedure.