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Grading of distal colorectal adenomas as predictors for proximal colonic neoplasia and choice of endoscope in population screening: experience from the Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Prevention study (NORCCAP)
  1. G Gondal1,
  2. T Grotmol1,
  3. B Hofstad2,
  4. M Bretthauer1,
  5. T J Eide3,
  6. G Hoff1
  1. 1G Gondal, T Grotmol, M Bretthauer, G Hoff, The Cancer Registry of Norway, Institute of Population-based Cancer Research, Montebello, Oslo, Norway
  2. 2B Hofstad, Department of Medicine, Ullevaal Hospital, Oslo, Norway
  3. 3T J Eide, Department of Pathology, Norwegian National Hospital, Oslo, Norway
  1. Correspondence to:
    G Hoff, The Cancer Registry of Norway, Institute of Population-based Cancer Research, Montebello, N-0310 Oslo, Norway;
    hofg{at}online.no

Abstract

Background and aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of easily measured clinical variables at flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) screening that might predict a proximal advanced neoplasm (PAN).

Methods: We studied 1833 subjects with biopsy verified adenomas at FS who subsequently underwent full colonoscopy.

Results: A total of 387 (21%) subjects had proximal colonic neoplasms (PCN) and 85 (5%) had PAN. In univariate comparison, the risk of PAN increased more than threefold in the presence of a distal adenoma measuring either ≥10 mm in diameter or containing villous components. Multiplicity of distal adenomas, severe dysplasia, or age ≥60 years increased the risk of PAN more than twofold. In the multivariate model, the presence of a distal adenoma ≥10 mm, villousness, and multiplicity maintained their significance as predictive variables for increased risk of proximal neoplasms, whereas sex and severe dysplasia lost their significance. By recommending colonoscopy only to individuals with multiple (>1) adenomas or any high risk adenoma at FS, we would have reduced the number of colonoscopies by 1209 (66%) but would have missed 32 (38%) participants with PAN and 217 (56%) with PCN. By using a 60 cm endoscope instead of an ordinary colonoscope at FS, nine (2%) participants with advanced neoplasms, including three patients with cancer, would have been missed.

Conclusion: The present study supports the concept of defining “any adenoma” as a positive FS, qualifying for colonoscopy. We recommend the use of an ordinary colonoscope instead of a 60 cm sigmoidoscope for FS screening examinations.

  • screening
  • sigmoidoscopy
  • colonic neoplasms
  • index adenoma
  • CRC, colorectal cancer
  • DCN, distal colorectal neoplasm
  • FS, flexible sigmoidoscopy
  • NORCCAP, Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Prevention study
  • PAN, proximal advanced neoplasm
  • PCN, proximal colonic neoplasm
  • OR, odds ratio

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