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Surveillance for people with polyps or inflammatory bowel disease

Guidance for following up people who have had polyps identified on colonoscopy and people with inflammatory bowel disease, who are at a higher risk of bowel cancer.

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Published: 20 August 2021


It is recognised that the risk of bowel cancer varies with the type and number of polyps found at colonoscopy. Not all bowel polyps have the potential to become malignant and not all patients who have been found to have polyps will go on to have recurrent polyps and therefore an increased risk of bowel cancer.1, 2 The general aim is that surveillance should be performed at the minimum frequency required to reduce morbidity and mortality from bowel cancer.1 This should be balanced against the risks of harm from colonoscopy, such as any psychological distress or complications of the procedure, and also against the financial impact to the health system (and potentially to individuals).1 Other evidence-based interventions, such as smoking cessation, a reduction in the consumption of red/processed meats and the use of aspirin, should be discussed with patients.1, 3

In 2020, updated New Zealand guidance was published for people post-colonoscopy who have had complete removal of adenomas or serrated polyps to address the variation in the intervals required for follow-up (Table 1).2 Two factors influenced the new advice:

  1. That some groups of patients with adenomas have a low risk of colorectal cancer in the future
  2. That there is a risk of colorectal cancer with some serrated polyps

Table 1: Surveillance intervals based on findings at high-quality colonoscopy. Adapted from 2020 “Update on polyp surveillance guidelines” with expert advice from the NBCWG.2

1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years or NBSP
(whichever comes first)

Adenomas*

≥ 10 adenomas**

Adenomas*

5 – 9 adenomas < 10 mm

Adenoma ≥ 10mm

Tubulovillous adenoma or Villous adenoma

Adenoma with HGD

Adenomas*

3 – 4 adenomas < 10 mm

Adenomas*

l – 2 adenomas < 10 mm

Serrated polyps*

Serrated polyposis syndrome – initial interval after polyp clearance**

Serrated polyps*

≥ 5 SSL < 10 mm

SSL ≥ 10 mm

SSL with dysplasia

Traditional serrated adenoma

Serrated polyps*

l – 4 SSL < 10 mm

HP ≥ 10 mm

*If there are both adenoma < 10 mm and SSL < 10 mm, the numbers should be summed up and follow-up interval for SSL should be applies

A 3-year follow-up interval is favoured if concern about consistency in distinction between sessile serrated lesion and hyperplastic polyp locally

**Consider referral to the NZ Familial Gastrointestinal Cancer Service (NZFGCS), see the polyp surveillance guidelines for referral criteria

NBSP: National Bowel Screening Programme

SSL: Sessile serrated lesion (= sessile serrated adenoma/polyp)

HGD: High grade dysplasia

HP: Hyperplastic polyp

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with an increased risk of development of bowel cancer. The risk can be classified as low, intermediate or high, largely reflecting the extensiveness and level of activity of the two main forms of IBD, either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.4

Recommendations from 2012, state that:4

  • A baseline colonoscopy and biopsies as appropriate should be performed 8 – 10 years after a definitive diagnosis of IBD
  • Ongoing surveillance with colonoscopy should be offered depending on the patient’s level of risk:
    • Low risk: colonoscopy at five years
    • Intermediate risk: colonoscopy at three years
    • High risk: colonoscopy at one year

N.B. For those at intermediate or high risk, the intervals can be extended to five years provided there have been two consecutive colonoscopies that show quiescent disease with no dysplasia, and no other risk factors (i.e. family history, a stricture or primary sclerosing cholangitis).

For information about surveillance in people with a family history of bowel cancer, refer to the first article in this series: “Referral of patients with features suggestive of bowel cancer: Ministry of Health guidance"

Acknowledgement

Thank you to Professor Ian Bissett and other members of the National Bowel Cancer Working Group and Dr Liz Dennett, Clinical Director, Te Aho o Te Kahu, for expert review of this article.

Article supported Te Aho o Te Kahu, the Cancer Control Agency.

N.B. Expert reviewers do not write the articles and are not responsible for the final content. bpacnz retains editorial oversight of all content.


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