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[Methods for the early detection of colonic polyps and colonic cancers].

The dramatically rising incidence of colorectal cancer and the fact that survival rates can only be improved by earlier diagnosis call for increased efforts aimed at early detection of colonic neoplasias. Present diagnostic methods--occult blood testing, digital exam, rigid and flexible sigmoidoscopy, double contrast barium enema and colonoscopy--are analyzed with regard to diagnostic yield, time requirement and patient acceptability. Flexible sigmoidoscopy has proved to be of high diagnostic value, to take relatively little time and to cause only minimal patient discomfort. It will therefore gradually replace rigid sigmoidoscopy. Various populations at risk for colorectal cancer are outlined and appropriate diagnostic screening methods are described. Finally, a plan for monitoring of the normal risk population is proposed.

Colonic Neoplasms↗

Time trends in distal colorectal cancer subsite location related to age and how it affects choice of screening modality.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A time trend analysis of colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence in the distal colorectum as a proportion of total CRC is presented for the period 1977-1994 as a function of age, to determine the age at which Americans might best be served by screening fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy. METHODS: CRC incidence rates were obtained for each anatomic subsite from SEER Public Use Files for 1977, 1986, and 1994. The colorectum was divided anatomically for these analyses at the junction of the descending colon and sigmoid colon. Incidence in the distal colorectum was divided by total CRC incidence to determine the proportion of CRC in that age/race/gender/year cohort located in the distal colorectum. RESULTS: The proportion of distal CRC among African Americans was without a clear trend as they grew older in each of the years of observation and in both genders. However, in whites, with increasing age, the proportion of distal disease declined progressively in both genders, with the greatest decline in 1994. Distal CRC became less prevalent than proximal at about age 72 years in white women and at age 82 in white men in 1994. CONCLUSIONS: As the white population becomes older, and for African Americans of all ages, more total colon screening modalities are needed, although at the onset of recommended screening, among 50- to 60-year-olds, fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy would appear efficacious.

Age Factors↗

Endoluminal ultrasonography in the follow-up of patients with rectal cancer.

One principal aim in follow-up after curative surgery for colorectal cancer is to identify recurrent disease at an early and possibly treatable stage. The major problem for patients with rectal carcinoma is local recurrence, which occurs in 3-30 per cent of cases and carries a 5-year survival rate of less than 5 per cent. Since 1989, in addition to digital and sigmoidoscopic examination, endorectal ultrasonography has routinely been used in the follow-up of patients with rectal cancer. Sixty-six patients (40 men) who had undergone attempted radical surgery for mid- and lower-third rectal cancer were included in the study. The mean age was 68 (range 43-87) years. A total of 190 scans were performed, with a mean of 3 (range 1-9) for each patient. Thirteen (20 per cent) of the 66 patients developed local recurrence; in all cases this was suggested by rectal ultrasonography. Digital examination and rigid sigmoidoscopy failed to detect recurrence in three patients. Four detected recurrences were treated radically; the remaining patients received radiotherapy, palliative transanal resection or laser management because of advanced age or refusal to undergo surgery. Six patients were alive a mean of 21 (range 4-50) months after recurrence. Of these six patients, four were free from disease (three had undergone salvage surgery and one radiotherapy). Postoperative rectal ultrasonography can detect some local recurrences at an early treatable stage. The method is more accurate than digital examination and sigmoidoscopy, and should be used as part of a regular follow-up programme.

Adult↗

Colorectal carcinoma screening procedure use among primary care patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence-based recommendations for colorectal carcinoma screening, population-based surveys report low screening rates. To the authors' knowledge, the extent to which screening procedures are used by patients seen in primary care is not as clear. The authors estimated the annual and 5-year colorectal carcinoma screening procedure use among a cohort of primary care patients and evaluated the correlation between patient characteristics and the use of screening procedures. METHODS: The authors identified a cohort of patients (n = 21,833 patients) ages 55-70 years who had a primary care visit in 2003 and who were enrolled in a health plan for the 5-year period ending December 31, 2003. Using automated data for the 5-year period ending December 31, 2003, information on patient sociodemographic characteristics, primary care and health maintenance examination (HME) visits, comorbid diagnoses, income, and screening receipt was compiled. The latter included barium enema, colonoscopy, fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), and flexible sigmoidoscopy use. RESULTS: Approximately one-half of insured, primary care patients (54%) received recommended colorectal carcinoma screening procedures over the 5-year observation period. Among individuals who received screening, colonoscopy was used most frequently (39.9%), followed by flexible sigmoidoscopy testing alone (28.3%) or in combination with FOBT (4.3%). Annual screening rates increased by 3.1% between 1999 and 2003. Among individuals who did not receive recommended colorectal carcinoma screening, 64% had at least 3 HME visits, and 41% received at least 1 FOBT. Increasing HME visits and other primary care visit frequency, along with increasing age, income, male gender, and African-American race, were associated with screening receipt. CONCLUSIONS: Significant opportunities exist to increase colorectal carcinoma screening among primary care patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Fat, fiber, fruits, vegetables, and risk of colorectal adenomas.

A case-control study was conducted at the National Naval Medical Center (Maryland, USA) from 1994 to 1996 to investigate the possible association between dietary factors and colorectal adenomas. Cases (n = 239) were subjects diagnosed with adenomas (146 new and 93 recurrent) by sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Those with no evidence of adenomas found by sigmoidoscopy were recruited as controls (n = 228). Dietary variables, assessed by a 100-item food frequency questionnaire, were analyzed by the logistic regression model, which was adjusted for age, gender and total energy intake. Variables of fat intake were further adjusted for red meat intake. An increased risk of 7% [odds ratio (OR): 1.07; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.94-1.22] per 5% energy/day from total fat was observed. Every additional 5% unit of oleic acid intake/day significantly increased the adenoma risk by 115% (OR: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.05-4.39). Red meat fat increased the risk by 20% (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 0.71-2.04), and white meat fat decreased the risk by 67% (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.19-0.95) for every additional 5% unit of respective intake/day. Risk decreased by 41% (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.41-0.86) for every additional 5% unit of fiber intake/day. Vegetable [OR per 100 g of vegetable intake/day: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.67-1.04] and fruit (OR per 100 g of fruit intake/day: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.82-1.03) intake showed an inverse association, and the results are suggestive of an association with the risk for adenomas. In conclusion, a strong positive association between oleic acid intake and colorectal adenoma risk was observed. This is likely to be an indicator of "unhealthy" food (meat, dairy, margarine, mayonnaise, sweet baked food) consumption in this population. Increased intake of dietary fiber was associated with a moderately decreased risk of adenomas.

Adenoma↗

Agreement between self-reported early cancer detection practices and medical audits among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white health plan members in northern California.

BACKGROUND: Using the medical records of a large, prepaid health plan, our purpose was to assess the accuracy of self-reported data on cancer detection practices and to evaluate any differences in accuracy between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. METHODS: Data were collected on six procedures: mammography, clinical breast examination, Pap smear, sigmoidoscopy, fecal occult blood tests, and digital rectal examination. We audited the medical records of 815 randomly selected Hispanic and 483 non-Hispanic white members of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in Northern California. All responded to a telephone survey. Using a standardized form, we recorded any of the six target examinations that had been performed within 5 years of the telephone interview. We then compared the times of the most recent screening tests as reported in the telephone survey with those in the medical record. RESULTS: For the 2 years before the telephone interview, self-reports for screening tests overestimated the actual rates at which these tests were performed as documented in the medical records. Lack of agreement between self-report and medical record audits was substantial for all screening procedures except sigmoidoscopy. Hispanic members had fewer procedures done for most tests, but the differences were not statistically significant. Overestimates in self-reported screening rates did not differ substantially between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported data on early cancer detection procedures can substantially overestimate their occurrence among both non-Hispanic white and Hispanic populations. These findings confirm earlier findings for Pap smear and affect decisions on cancer prevention procedures that rely on the accuracy of self-reported data.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Utilization of colorectal cancer screening tests: a 1997 survey of Massachusetts internists.

BACKGROUND: Physician noncompliance with screening recommendations has been a major barrier to effective colorectal cancer control. The overall objectives of this study were to assess the current attitudes and screening behavior of primary care physicians in light of new efficacy data, revised guidelines, improved technology, and more widespread insurance coverage. METHODS: Questionnaires inquiring about knowledge, beliefs, and practice patterns related to colorectal cancer screening were mailed in mid-1997 to 700 randomly selected Massachusetts internists. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 63%. Nearly 60% of respondents reported an increase in screening behavior during the past 5 years. Most (80%) were aware of at least one set of screening guidelines and 90% reported utilizing one or more recommended screening strategies. Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), alone (47%) or in combination with flexible sigmoidoscopy (50%), was the preferred strategy for most respondents. Colonoscopy was rarely utilized (5%) despite high perceived effectiveness. Concern about patient compliance was a significant determinant of FOBT utilization, whereas perceived effectiveness, concerns about time or efficacy data, prior procedural training, date of licensure, and use of instructional materials were independent determinants of sigmoidoscopy utilization. CONCLUSION: Massachusetts' internists report high rates of utilization of select colorectal cancer screening strategies. Future studies must validate self-reported compliance and explore barriers to screening colonoscopy.

Adult↗

Pseudomembranous colitis: how useful is endoscopy?

Clostridium difficile colitis may be diagnosed either by endoscopy or by laboratory tests. To determine the role of endoscopy, we reviewed 59 cases of confirmed C. difficile colitis. In all patients, the etiology was confirmed by stool tests. Twenty-nine underwent lower gastrointestinal endoscopy. In 16 (55%) there was endoscopic confirmation of pseudomembranes while 4 (14%) had only nonspecific colitis. There was no apparent difference in the rate of detection of pseudomembranes between rigid sigmoidoscopy (57%), flexible sigmoidoscopy (50%), and colonoscopy (50%). Vancomycin and metronidazole were equally effective therapy but treatment with vancomycin cost more than 250 times that for metronidazole. There were no patients in whom the diagnosis was made by endoscopy alone. Endoscopy was costly and insensitive, while noninvasive stool tests were cheap and accurate. We conclude that endoscopy should be relegated to a secondary role in the workup of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Colonoscopy↗

Barium enema utilization within a defined geographic region: a survey.

All 118 hospital-based radiology departments in Indiana (USA) responded to a survey of barium enema (BE) utilization. The percentage of community hospitals in Indiana using barium enema, both single contrast (SCBE) and double contrast (DCBE), for various indications was similar to that reported for major medical centers around the world (RF Thoeni and AR Margulis, Radiology, 167: 7-12, 1988). The use of SCBE and DCBE did not differ between small and large hospitals, or between hospitals in small vs large communities. There was, however, wide variation among community hospitals in their overall use of either contrast technique. Barium enema was usually performed without antecedent sigmoidoscopy. However, 60% of Indiana hospitals perform BE on the same day as flexible sigmoidoscopy. The results indicate that the use of BE in community hospitals in Indiana is similar to that reported for major medical centers. Also like major medical centers, there is no consensus regarding many issues in the performance of BE.

Barium↗

Single-visit screening and treatment of first-degree relatives. Colon cancer pilot study.

A pilot study has been carried out to evaluate three aspects of screening of first-degree relatives of patients with colon cancer in four Hamilton hospitals; yield of adenomas, feasibility of a one-visit approach to screening and treatment, and compliance. Protocol included flexible sigmoidoscopy after full bowel preparation, followed immediately by either therapeutic colonoscopy or diagnostic barium enema, depending on the flexible sigmoidoscopy findings. We found adenomas in 19 percent of 88 first-degree relatives, with a mean age of 52, compared with an expectation of 8 percent. The protocol was found to be acceptable to the relatives and workable for the various groups of physicians in three of four hospitals, despite many initial logistic difficulties. Numerous problems were encountered with compliance of referring physicians, index patients, relatives, and investigating physicians.

Adenoma↗

Frequency of advanced neoplasia in the proximal colon without an index polyp in the rectosigmoid.

PURPOSE: Screening endoscopy has the potential to reduce colorectal cancer mortality. However, the efficacy of screening flexible sigmoidoscopy compared with colonoscopy strongly depends on the frequency of advanced proximal neoplasms without an index polyp in the rectosigmoid. We have therefore determined this frequency in our endoscopy population. METHODS: Endoscopic and histologic data were analyzed from all patients on whom integral colonoscopy was performed between 1980 and 1995. Advanced neoplasia was defined as cancer or adenomas >10 mm in diameter, adenomas with a villous component, or severe dysplasia. Patients with polyposis syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease were excluded. RESULTS: Colonoscopy was performed on 11,760 patients. 2,272 (19.3 percent) had at least one colorectal neoplasm, of which 39 percent had the neoplasm above the rectosigmoid. Twenty-two percent of all patients with neoplasia had no index polyp in the rectosigmoid and 16 percent of these had no index polyp, but at least one advanced proximal neoplasm. CONCLUSIONS: Although 39 percent of patients had neoplasms above the rectosigmoid, only 16 percent had an advanced proximal neoplasm without an index polyp in the rectosigmoid. This gives a figure on which to base the evaluation of screening sigmoidoscopy programs against those of screening colonoscopy.

Adenoma, Villous↗

Diagnostic considerations in evaluation of patients presenting with melena and nondiagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Proper evaluation of patients with melena and nondiagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy is comparatively undefined. We sought to determine the percentage of patients with melena and nondiagnostic upper endoscopy and assess the yield of further evaluation. Of 209 patients presenting with melena, 180 underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy as the initial study, which was nondiagnostic in 43 cases (24%). Further evaluation was pursued in 30. A presumed source of melena was found in 11 patients (37%), identified by colonoscopy in seven, bleeding scan in three, and barium enema plus flexible sigmoidoscopy in one. Nearly all such defined cases originated from the right colon. Small bowel contrast studies, flexible sigmoidoscopy of barium enema alone, and angiography failed to reveal a source. Our findings suggest that many (24%) patients presenting with melena will have nondiagnostic upper endoscopy; further evaluation reveals a potential source in 37% of this group, with the right colon being the most likely location of pathology; and colonoscopy is the test of choice in this cohort.

Adolescent↗

Risk factors and screening techniques in 500 patients with benign and malignant colon polyps. An urban community experience.

The authors have reviewed 13 years of experience with 500 patients who had 1240 polypoid lesions identified at colonoscopy. An analysis of these patients' symptoms, signs, and past histories prior to initial colonoscopy were collated by computer in order to provide useful information to help in early identification of patients with polyps and to define specific risk factors in patients with polypoid cancers (71 patients with 79 cancers). This study shows that the 500 patients with colon polyps, with and without cancer, are similar in all parameters measured. Their symptoms correlated poorly with the pathology or location of the polyp. Frequently unrelated symptoms brought the patient to the attention of their private physician. A significant high-risk group of patients identified were those with prior colon polyps and cancer. A positive family history of colon cancer was not common. Barium enema, the most common examination, was performed in 90 percent of patients and was the first test to diagnose polyps in 54 percent. Flexible sigmoidoscopy, only more recently available and performed in 20 percent of the patients, established a diagnosis of polypoid disease 96 percent of the time. This study supports screening for all adults above 40 years of age with flexible sigmoidoscopy and stool occult blood.

Adult↗

Physician accuracy in diagnosing colorectal polyps.

Since the medical management of persons with adenomatous colorectal polyps differs from that of those with hyperplastic polyps, accuracy of diagnosis is essential. Although many physicians have grown confident that their skills of visual diagnosis are adequate, few data exist to support this confidence. In order to examine the accuracy of physicians' judgments regarding colorectal polyp histology, the visual diagnosis of physicians experienced in endoscopy was compared with the histologic report. Eighty-one polyps were discovered by flexible sigmoidoscopy among 718 participants in a colon cancer screening program. Eighty percent of all polyps were detected accurately. The diagnostic sensitivity of detecting adenomas was 69 percent, while specificity (accurate diagnosis of hyperplastic polyps) was 86 percent, and there were an additional eight false negative and eight false positive diagnoses. Further analyses revealed that there are individual patterns of diagnostic mistakes made by physicians and that mistakes frequently are related to polyp size. These findings are particularly important in light of the expanding numbers of relatively inexperienced primary care providers performing flexible sigmoidoscopy whose diagnoses may be strongly dependent on polyp size.

Adenoma↗

Unusual course of colonic tattooing with India ink.

We here report the successful but unusual course of colonic tattooing in a patient with a carcinoma in situ in a polyp. A 70-year-old woman was admitted for persistent diarrhea, occult fecal blood, and anemia. During colonoscopy, a pedunculated large polyp in the sigmoid colon occluding the lumen was removed successfully. Histopathological examination revealed a carcinoma in situ with a resection of the peduncle in sano. At the second sigmoidoscopy, the polypectomy site was marked with India ink to facilitate the recovery of the polypectomy site in follow-up endoscopies. Three months later, the India ink had spread in the submucosal layer and a segment measuring 15 cm was colored dark blue. At the original polypectomy site, an uncolored flat mucosal proliferation was found above the dark colonic wall. After mucosectomy, the tissue was classified as hyperplastic. Six weeks later, a second control sigmoidoscopy did not show any suspicious mucosal alterations.

Adenoma, Villous↗

A lay person versus a trained endoscopist: can the preop endoscopy simulator detect a difference?

The purpose of this study was to establish construct validation of a flexible sigmoidoscopy simulator by comparing training-level grouped subjects. These included clerical staff (n = 10), residents (n = 19), and experts (n = 5). Each participant performed 3 scopes. The ANOVA group-based results for trainer-measured variables are shown in Table 1. These results demonstrate that the flexible sigmoidoscopy simulator distinguished the trained from the untrained and the resident from the expert. Although there was no statistically significant differences between the senior residents and the experts, the expert commonly outperformed the residents. Establishing the transferability of simulator training to real life is next. If the transfer of skill can be established, it may give rise to a new skills training approach.

Administrative Personnel↗

Epidemiology of colorectal polyps.

The prevalence of colorectal adenomatous polyps varies widely from country to country. Among asymptomatic, average-risk patients, adenoma prevalence averages approximately 10% in sigmoidoscopy studies and more than 25% in colonoscopy studies, whereas the prevalence of colorectal cancer among these patients is less than 1%. These data may change in the future due to the advent of new technological approaches and, in particular, chromo- and magnifying endoscopy as well as confocal laser endoscopy. The cumulative incidence of new adenomas within 3 years after normal endoscopy averages about 7% by flexible sigmoidoscopy and 27% by colonoscopy. As far as risk factors for colorectal adenomas are concerned, several data are now available on the potential role of various diet items. Tobacco smoking may be important in the early stages of adenoma formation, but not necessarily in the later stages. Alcohol consumption elevates the risk of adenomatous colorectal polyps and this seems increased by ADH3 polymorphism. Another gene-environment relationship of interest in colorectal tumorigenesis may be based on folate's effects on K-ras mutations.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Colorectal carcinoma: is screening possible?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health problem in western countries. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in EU countries with about 220,000 new cases per year; the number of CRC deaths approaches 112,000. Most cancer arises from adenomatous polyps through the adenoma-carcinoma sequence; the natural history of the disease is long: the risk of invasive cancer in adenoma is about 2% per year. Given the natural history of CRC, early diagnosis represents the most appropriate tool to reduce the disease-related mortality. Several tests are available to screen healthy subjects at average risk for CRC: faecal occult blood tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, combined faecal occult blood tests and flexible sigmoidoscopy, total colonoscopy and double contrast barium enema. Issues related to the introduction on a large scale of population-based screening programmes for CRC are discussed.

Adenoma↗