Adenomas detected during screening colonoscopies in the years 2000-2009

Introduction: It is estimated that 95% of colorectal cancers (CRC) develop from adenomas. Currently, the most effective method of preventing colorectal cancers is by removing adenomas during a colonoscopy. The most effective and the cheapest way of increasing the 5-year survival rate and curbing the constant increase in CRC incidence is through screening colonoscopies.

Aim: To analyze the adenomas detected during screening colonoscopies.

Material and methods: In Poland, the Screening Program for Early Colorectal Cancer Detection, the basic tool of which is a colonoscopy performed once every 10 years, has been carried out since 2000. There were 1,442 screening colonoscopies performed in our center between 2000 and 2009.

Results: Polyps were found in 25.8% of the participants. Adenomas were found in 17.3% of the participants, including 14.2% of the women and 22.4% of the men. Histopathological evaluation performed after endoscopic polypectomy indicated tubular adenomas in 191 examined people. Seventy-one participants had serrated adenomas diagnosed. Ten people had tubulovillous, and one participant had villous adenoma. Advanced adenomas were detected in 2.7% of the women and 3.9% of the men.

Conclusions: Colonoscopy is an effective tool for detection, diagnosis, removal and qualification for further monitoring as regards the presence of adenomas. Adenomas are more often found in men, the inhabitants of rural areas, people whose first-degree relatives have had a malignant tumor in the abdomen, and those with diverticula found in the large intestine.