NewsRx.com
May 8, 2008
Fresh data on colon cancer are presented in the report 'Colonoscopy surveillance after polypectomy and colorectal cancer resection.' "This article describes a joint update of guidelines by the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer delineating evidence-based surveillance recommendations for patients after polypectomy and colorectal cancer resection," scientists in the United States report.
"Although there are some qualifying conditions, the following general guidelines apply: after colonoscopic polypectomy, patients with hyperplastic polyps should be considered to have normal colonoscopies, and subsequent colonoscopy is recommended at 10 years. Patients with one or two small (less than 1 cm) tubular adenomas, including those with only low-grade dysplasia, should have their next colonoscopy in five to 10 years. Patients with three to 10 adenomas, any adenoma 1 cm or larger, or any adenoma with villous features or high-grade dysplasia should have their next colonoscopy in three years. Following curative resection of colorectal cancer, patients should undergo a colonoscopy at one year, with subsequent follow-up intervals determined by the results of this examination," wrote D.D. Brooks and colleagues, American Cancer Society.
The researchers concluded: "Adoption of these guidelines will have a dramatic impact on the quality of care provided to patients after a colorectal cancer diagnosis, will assist in shifting available resources from intensive surveillance to screening, and will ultimately decrease suffering and death related to colorectal cancer."
Brooks and colleagues published their study in American Family Physician (Colonoscopy surveillance after polypectomy and colorectal cancer resection. American Family Physician, 2008;77(7):995-1002).
For more information, contact D.D. Brooks, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, Georgia USA..
Publisher contact information for the journal American Family Physician is: American Acad Family Physicians, 8880 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64114-2797, USA.
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