Are surveillance colonoscopy practices due for an update?

A recent study conducted in Norway has found that the removal of adenomatous polyps without a follow-up surveillance resulted in a colorectal cancer mortality rate comparable to that of the general population, according to a MedPage report.

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The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that after a median follow-up of 7.7 years colorectal-cancer morality was lower among patients with low-risk adenomas removed and moderately higher in patients who had high-risk adenomas removed.

The researchers concluded that patients with low-risk adenoma removal may not benefit from colonoscopy surveillance every five years. Instead, the researchers suggest a less-intensive surveillance protocol could replace current guidelines, according to the MedPage report.

Surveillance practices differ if in the United States and Norway, and the study lacked data on colonoscopy quality. But, the results suggest surveillance colonoscopy guidelines may merit a second look.

More articles on gastroenterology:
What is the optimal bowel preparation for colonoscopy?
Galen Medical Group participates in colonoscopy quality study
How one program is bringing bundled payments to colorectal cancer screening

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