Descriptive analysis of endoscopic findings in patients with a family history of colorectal cancer

• Published in: Revista de gastroenterología de México Vol. 80; no. 3; pp. 192 - 197
• Main Authors: Álvarez-Cuenllas, B, Díez-Rodríguez, R, Vaquero, L, Pisabarros, C, Aparicio, M, Rodríguez-Martín, L, Muñoz, F, Olcoz, J L, Jorquera, F, Vivas, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Mexico 01.07.2015
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - diagnostic imaging; Adenoma - diagnostic imaging; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Colonic Polyps - diagnostic imaging; Colonoscopy; Colorectal Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Colorectal Neoplasms - genetics; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal - methods; Family; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Sex Factors; Colonoscopia; Neoplasia colorrectal; Screening; Antecedentes familiares; Colonoscopy; Adenoma; Cribado; Colorectal neoplasia; Family history
• ISSN: 0375-0906
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmx.2015.03.002

The presence of a family history implies an increased risk for developing colorectal cancer (CRC), and may require a different screening strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate lesions found during colonoscopies of patients that had a family history of CRC. A retrospective study was conducted that included consecutive colonoscopies performed on patients with a family history of CRC at a referral center within the period from April 2000 to January 2012. The colonoscopic findings were analyzed in relation to sex, age, and the presence or absence of symptoms. Data from 3,792 colonoscopies were collected. The mean age of the patients was 53.14 years (SD 12.22), and 57.4% were women. Colonoscopy was normal in 71.7% of the cases, with hyperplastic polyps being detected in 7.1%, and adenomatous polyps in 19.8% (39.4% of them were high risk). There was a 1.5% presence of adenocarcinomas in the subjects. Polyps and CRC were predominant in men (P=.001 and P=.027, respectively) and there was a linear increase with age. Symptomatic patients had a higher CRC detection rate (P<.001), but no differences were observed in relation to polyp diagnosis. Age and male sex increased the risk for presenting with CRC or adenomas in the group of patients with a family history of CRC, and the presence of symptoms was associated with a greater risk for presenting with CRC.