Incidence of adenomas after curative resection for colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE

The benefits of periodic colonoscopic surveillance after curative resection for colon cancer are controversial. We investigated the incidence, size, and time interval to the detection of recurrent adenomatous polyps in patients who have undergone resection of a colorectal cancer.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, the records of 351 patients who underwent curative resection for colorectal carcinoma between 1967 and 1991 were reviewed. Sixty-one patients were excluded because of incomplete data.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven patients (30%) were found to have had at least one adenoma. Twelve patients had more than five adenomas. The median time to diagnosis was 24 months. Forty-six patients of the 87 (52.9%) had polyp recurrences within 2 yr after cancer resection.

CONCLUSION

This group of patients is at increased risk for the development of adenomatous polyps. Surveillance colonoscopy and polypectomy may reduce the incidence of metachronous colon cancer.