COLONOSCOPIC FOLLOW-UP OF ADENOMAS AND COLORECTAL-CANCER

Increasing experience with colonoscopy has altered recommendations for the frequency of follow-up surveillance examinations for adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancer. Current recommendations include a follow -up colonoscopy at 1 year for patients with more than two adenomatous or highly suggestive polyps and after curative surgery for colorectal cancer. Other patients can safely receive a follow-up colonoscopy at l onger intervals of 3 years. Published data and a review of the Ochsner Clinic experience are presented to support these recommendations.