Colonoscopy Audit Increases Detection of Sessile Serrated Polyps

Abstract

Detection and removal of all adenomas at colonoscopy is associated with a reduced interval cancer rate [1,2]. This is consistent with the adenoma-carcinoma sequence for colorectal cancer. The identification of the serrated polyp cancer pathway has emphasized the importance of detection and removal of sessile serrated polyps. Serrated polyps are precursor lesions ac counting for 15% to 30% of colorectal cancers. They are overrepresented as a cause of interval cancers [3]. The detection of serrated polyps has been clearly linked to the risk of colorectal cancer in a prospective record linkage study in Sweden with a similar risk to tubular adenomas (HR of 1·77 (1·34-2·34) for sessile serrated polyps and 1·41 (1·30-1·52) for tubular adenomas) [4].