Background: The B-cell lymphoma-2 Gene (BCL-2) is a family of proteins, which control a critical step in commitment to apoptosis. Adenomatous polyps are small clump of cells lining or projecting above the surface of the colon; most of them are benign, harmless and noncancerous. However, over time, some of the polyps may develop into colon cancer.

Aims: To investigate the association between BCL-2 expression in colorectal adenomas, and to identify any association between BCL-2 marker and several histopathologic parameters (including tumor size, grade, site and type), in a sample of patients living in Erbil city, Northern part of Iraq.

Methods: A retrospective study done during the period between January 2017 till January 2018, on 101 formalin-fixed paraffin- embedded specimens of colorectal adenomatous polyps that were retrieved from Histopathology Laboratory at Rizgary Teaching Hospital and some private histopathology laboratories in Erbil city, Northern part of Iraq.

Results: Out of the 101cases, 85 of them showed positive BCL-2 expression. Thirty-four cases (33.67%) with high, 29 (28.72%) moderate, 22 (21.79%) low BCL-2 expression, and 16 (15.85%) showed no expression. Patients over 50 years showed highest number of expression(59.41%) compared to other age groups(P< 0.001). left side colon polyp predominate over right side (80, 79.21%), with majority of tubulo- villous type (P< 0.001).Nevertheless, no significant differences were found between gender, size of tumor, degree of dysplasia, and advanced adenoma

Conclusion: Over-expression of BCL-2 occurs early in colorectal adenoma polyps, which may act as one of important altered proteins expression leads to tumor cells proliferation and further progression to adenocarcinoma. The BCL-2 oncogene plays an important role in carcinogenesis by inhibiting cell death (apoptosis) that may enhance current cancer therapies and for future drug therapy discovery and