Timing of Colonoscopy After Resection for Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

The performance of surveillance colonoscopy at 1 year resulted in the detection of only 5 missed polyps ≥1 cm and no metachronous cancers. Anastomotic recurrences were rare, and the majority were in patients who had rectal cancer that could be evaluated by in-office flexible sigmoidoscopy. Extending the time to first colonoscopy appears to be safe and would help conserve valuable resources, including physician and facility time, which is imperative in the current health care climate.