ABSTRACT
Data from prospective and large retrospective studies indicate that colonoscopy is
highly effective in screening average- and high-risk populations as well for surveillance
in those with a prior history of colorectal polyps, cancer, or chronic colitis. Screening
colonoscopy has been shown to be safe and important in detecting polyps and cancers
that would have gone undetected had traditional screening measure been employed and
appears to be cost-effective at levels at or below costs for other cancer screening
programs. Colonoscopy with polypectomy leads to a greater than 75% reduction in colorectal
cancer development when compared with historical controls. Surveillance intervals
for patients with a history of adenomatous colon polyps can be extended to at least
3 to 5 years under most circumstances. Colonoscopy following curative colorectal cancer
surgery should follow typical postpolypectomy recommendations given the major goal
of preventing a second primary colorectal cancer in this group.
KEYWORD
Colon - colonoscopy - cancer - polyp - screening
