Colorectal cancers soon after colonoscopy: A pooled multicohort analysis Journal Article


Authors: Robertson, D. J.; Lieberman, D. A.; Winawer, S. J.; Ahnen, D. J.; Baron, J. A.; Schatzkin, A.; Cross, A. J.; Zauber, A. G.; Church, T. R.; Lance, P.; Greenberg, E. R.; Martínez, M. E.
Article Title: Colorectal cancers soon after colonoscopy: A pooled multicohort analysis
Abstract: Objective: Some individuals are diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) despite recent colonoscopy. We examined individuals under colonoscopic surveillance for colonic adenomas to assess possible reasons for diagnosing cancer after a recent colonoscopy with complete removal of any identified polyps. Design: Primary data were pooled from eight large (>800 patients) North American studies in which participants with adenoma(s) had a baseline colonoscopy (with intent to remove all visualised lesions) and were followed with subsequent colonoscopy. We used an algorithm based on the time from previous colonoscopy and the presence, size and histology of adenomas detected at prior exam to assign interval cancers as likely being new, missed, incompletely resected (while previously an adenoma) or due to failed biopsy detection. Results: 9167 participants (mean age 62) were included in the analyses, with a median follow-up of 47.2 months. Invasive cancer was diagnosed in 58 patients (0.6%) during follow-up (1.71 per 1000 person-years follow-up). Most cancers (78%) were early stage (I or II); however, 9 (16%) resulted in death from CRC. We classi fied 30 cancers (52%) as probable missed lesions, 11 (19%) as possibly related to incomplete resection of an earlier, non-invasive lesion and 14 (24%) as probable new lesions. The cancer diagnosis may have been delayed in three cases (5%) because of failed biopsy detection. Conclusions: Despite recent colonoscopy with intent to remove all neoplasia, CRC will occasionally be diagnosed. These cancers primarily seem to represent lesions that were missed or incompletely removed at the prior colonoscopy and might be avoided by increased emphasis on identifying and completely removing all neoplastic lesions at colonoscopy.
Journal Title: Gut
Volume: 63
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0017-5749
Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.  
Date Published: 2014-06-01
Start Page: 949
End Page: 956
Language: English
DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2012-303796
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 23793224
PMCID: PMC4383397
DOI/URL:
Notes: Gut -- Cited By (since 1996):3 -- Export Date: 2 June 2014 -- CODEN: GUTTA -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Ann G Zauber
    314 Zauber
  2. Sidney J Winawer
    274 Winawer