Study: Many Patients With Colorectal Polyps Shun Follow-Up Screenings

Even though about half of the people who have colorectal polyps removed will develop new polyps, a large number of these high-risk patients do not return for follow-up screenings, according to researchers.

In their study of almost 9,000 people 50 years or older who had a polyp removed between January 1, 1989, and December 31, 1999, the researchers reported only about half of the patients underwent the recommended follow-up screening.

Colorectal polyps are growths on the lining of the colon or rectum that in some cases are precursors to cancer. Polyps seen during a colonoscopy screening are removed to reduce the likelihood of subsequent colorectal cancer.

Reporting in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the researchers said "30.5 percent of patients with polyps had subsequent polyps." They said that projections which took into account patients who did not return for screening as well as those who did suggested that half of the patients would have a recurrence of polyps within 7.6 years.

A further alarming factor in the failure of patients to return for follow-up screenings was that cost was not a factor, since all of the patients in the study had insurance coverage.

"These results indicate that patients with polyps are at high risk for polyp recurrence," the researchers said. They also demonstrated that have of patients did not receive additional colon screening, "despite the fact that surveillance of this population is generally recommended.

"Efforts to increase and monitor ongoing screening of postpolypectomy patients and efforts to improve appropriate colorectal cancer screening activities are warranted," the researchers concluded.

Other Sources: Archives of Internal Medicine