Treatment with argon plasma coagulation reduces recurrence after piecemeal resection of large sessile colonic polyps: a randomized trial and recommendations

BACKGROUND: Recurrence is frequent after piecemeal snare resection of large sessile colorectal polyps. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in preventing recurrence when applied to the edge and base of the polypectomy site after apparently complete piecemeal resection. METHODS: Patients with large (>1.5 cm) sessile polyps removed by piecemeal snare cautery were placed into 2 groups. The first consisted of patients with polyps believed by the endoscopist to be completely excised. These patients were randomized to either no further therapy (control) or to APC of the rim and any residual mucosal or submucosal tissue in the base of the polypectomy site. The second group comprised patients in whom polyps, as judged by the endoscopist, were incompletely excised by snare polypectomy; APC was routinely applied without randomization to all visible remaining adenomatous tissue. Follow-up colonoscopy was performed within 3 months and 1 year; biopsy specimens were taken routinely from the resection site and further polypectomy was performed as indicated. RESULTS: There were fewer recurrences after APC in the randomized group (1/10 APC, 7/11 no APC; p = 0.02). In the group with initial incomplete snare polypectomy, recurrence was detected at 3 months in 6 of 13 despite APC. One patient was hospitalized with abdominal pain and minor rectal bleeding but required no intervention. There were no other episodes of significant late bleeding caused by piecemeal polypectomy. One patient was referred for surgery after unsuccessful endoscopic management. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with apparent complete endoscopic snare resection of large adenomas, postpolypectomy application of APC reduces adenomatous recurrence.     

氩离子血浆凝固术治疗胃肠广基扁平息肉和出血

目的 探讨氩离子血浆凝固术（APC）对胃肠广基扁平息肉和出血的治疗作用。方法 广基扁平息肉患者13例，31枚息肉，行内镜下APC治疗；大息肉内镜切除及活检后出血5例，APC术止血治疗；对照组广基扁平息肉患者20例，28枚息肉，行内镜下热凝电极治疗。结果 APC术和张电极在广基扁平息肉治疗中疗效相同，局部疼痛的副作用相似，但APC术导管探头无粘连，明显优于热凝电极治疗组55％的发生率（P＜0．01）。APC治疗大息肉内镜切除及活检后渗血迅速有效。结论 APC术治疗胃肠广基扁平息肉及出血简便有效。     

EMR of large sessile colorectal polyps

BACKGROUND: EMR optimizes histopathologic assessment of resected lesions. This study evaluated the outcome of EMR of large sessile colorectal polyps in terms of complications and recurrence. METHODS: An uncontrolled prospective study was conducted of a cohort of 136 patients with sessile colorectal polyps referred for EMR. After submucosal injection, EMR was performed piecemeal by either snare polypectomy alone or with cap aspiration. RESULTS: In 136 patients, a total of 139 sessile polyps were resected, 86 of which were in the right colon. Median polyps diameter was 20 mm in the right colon and 30 mm in the other colonic segments. Intraprocedure bleeding occurred after 15 polypectomies (10.8%) and was controlled endoscopically in all cases; there was no delayed bleeding. Post-polypectomy syndrome occurred in 5 patients (3.7%). There was no perforation. Invasive carcinoma was found in 17 sessile colorectal polyps, and surgery was performed in 10 of 17 cases. Follow-up colonoscopy in 93 patients without invasive carcinoma (96 polyps), over a median of 12.3 months, disclosed local recurrence of 21 adenomatous polyps (21.9%). Colonoscopic follow-up in 5 of the 7 patients, who had sessile colorectal polyps with invasive carcinoma and did not undergo surgery, disclosed no local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: EMR, including EMR with cap aspiration, is effective and safe for removal of sessile colorectal polyps throughout the colon.     

Safety and efficacy of argon plasma coagulator ablation therapy for flat colorectal adenomas.

INTRODUCTION: argon-plasma coagulation (APC) has been used safely and efficaciously in multiple settings including colon polyp treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate APC efficacy and safety in the treatment of flat colorectal adenomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: APC ablation was prospectively performed and evaluated in 22 consecutive patients with colorectal adenomas, 11 of which had large sessile adenomas that were treated with piecemeal polypectomy and APC ablation of residual adenomatous tissue, whereas the remaining eleven patients with flat or carpet-like adenomas were only treated with APC. The mean initial longitudinal extension of adenomas to be treated with APC was 22 mm (range, 20 to 40 mm). RESULTS: the mean age of patients was 70 years. Adenomas were found most frequently in the rectum (50%) and cecum (23%). Complete ablation was achieved in 90.9% of adenomas. Recurrence was observed in 20% of patients, all of them in the rectum, after a mean follow-up period of 16.3 months (range, 8 to 35). All recurrences were managed satisfactorily. No major complications were seen. CONCLUSIONS: argon plasma coagulator ablation of flat colorectal adenomas is an efficacious and safe technique, specially in the right colon, but results must be confirmed in controlled trials with a higher number of patients.     

Endoscopic resection of large colorectal polyps.

BACKGROUNDS: Endoscopic polypectomy is a common technique, but there are discrepancies over which treatment--surgical or endoscopic--to follow in case of polyps of 2 cm or larger. OBJECTIVES: To analyse the efficacy and complications of colonoscopic polypectomy of large colorectal polyps. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 147 polypectomies were performed on 142 patients over an eight-year period. The technique used was that of submucosal adrenaline 1:10000 or saline injection at the base of the polyp, followed by resection of the polyp using a diathermic snare in the smallest number of fragments. Remnant adenomatous tissue was fulgurated with an argon plasma coagulator. Lately, prophylactic hemoclips have been used for thick-pedicle polyps. Complete removal was defined as when a polyp was completely resected in one or more polypectomy sessions. Polypectomy failure was defined as when a polyp could not be completely resected or contained an invasive carcinoma. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 67.9 years (range, 4-90 years), with 68 men and 79 women. There were 74 sessile polyps, and the most common location was the sigmoid colon. The most frequent histology was tubulovillous. Most of the polyps (96.6%), were resected and cured. This was not achieved in four cases of invasive carcinoma, and a villous polyp of the cecum. All pedunculated polyps were resected in one session, whereas the average number of colonoscopies for sessile polyps was 1.35 +/- 0.6 (range, 1-4). The polypectomy was curative in all of the in situ carcinomata except one. As for complications, 2 colonic perforations (requiring surgery) and 8 hemorrhages appeared, which were controlled via endoscopy. There was no associated mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic polypectomy of large polyps (> or =2 cm) is a safe, effective treatment, though it is not free from complications. Complete resection is achieved in a high percentage, and there are few relapses. It should be considered a technique of choice for this type of polyp, except in cases of invasive carcinoma.     

Endoscopic snare resection of large colonic polyps: how far can we go?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Colonoscopic polypectomy is preventing colorectal cancer. Videoendoscopy and new perendoscopic hemostasis techniques make endoscopic polypectomy of large colonic polyps an alternative to the surgical approach. This study examined whether complete snare resection of giant colonic polyps is feasible and safe and for determining how often surgery is necessary due to invasive cancer detected histologically after polypectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 59 consecutive patients with 68 colonic polyps larger 30 mm in diameter. Snare polypectomy was performed after an endoscopic ultrasound with a miniprobe found no sign of invasive, or, depending on the appearance of the polyp, a bleeding prophylaxis had been carried out. Acute procedural or delayed bleeding was treated endoscopically. RESULTS: Of the 68 polyps 26, mostly pedunculated were resected en bloc (38%) and histologically ensured as completely resected; 42 polyps had to be resected by piecemeal technique (62%). Piecemeal resection was performed significantly more often in sessile polyps (38/41, 93%) than in pedunculated polyps (4/27, 15%, P<0.01). Follow-up colonoscopy after 3 months showed remaining adenomatous tissue of piecemeal-resected polyps in 12 cases (28%), which were 12 resected sessile polyps (29%) and no case of resected pedunculated polyp. To achieve complete resection of sessile polyps a second procedure was necessary significantly more often than for resection of pedunculated polyps (12 cases in sessile polyps, 18% vs. no case in pedunculated polyps). Remaining adenomatous tissue was removed in all 12 cases during the first follow-up colonoscopy after 3 months, confirmed by a biopsy 6 months after the initial procedure. Overall coexisting malignancy was found in only 7 polyps (12%). Due to high-risk factors only one of them underwent secondary surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that endoscopic snare resection of giant colonic polyps is a safe procedure, and that secondary operative measures for managing coexisting malignancy are rarely necessary.     

内镜黏膜切除术治疗大肠广基大息肉

目的探讨内镜黏膜切除术(EMR)对肠道广基大息肉样病变的治疗价值。方法采用结肠镜下大肠黏膜切除术治疗135例共157个结直肠广基大息肉。病灶黏膜下注射肾上腺素生理盐水后,一次圈套整块切除或分次圈套切除病变,回收全部标本送病理检查,术后结肠镜随访。结果全部息肉EMR一次切除,除3个位于直肠黏膜下的病灶小于1 cm外,其余均大于1.5 cm,最大的13 cm×12 cm,无手术并发症。术后病理:腺瘤123个,其中有异型增生80个;黏膜内癌11个;增生性息肉20个;直肠类癌3个。随访中,有2例大于7 cm的直肠腺瘤分别于术后1个月及3个月复查时复发,均给予热活检钳完整钳除,病理分别为增生性息肉和绒毛状腺瘤,再复查6-12个月无复发。结论EMR是治疗大肠癌前病变及黏膜内癌安全、有效的方法。     

Polyps with an invasive degenerated focus

Advances in technology of flexible endoscopes have greatly changed the management of patients with adenomatous polyps of the colon and rectum. Some controversy still exists concerning the best treatment for invasive polyps. For some authors, invasive polyps need radical operation, while others think that unless cancer goes beyond the bounds of a removed polyp, endoscopic resection is an adequate procedure. We designed a study of 65 patients presenting an invasive carcinoma arising in adenomatous polyps and who underwent a colorectal resection thereafter, in order to determine which endoscopic and histological features correlated best with a curative treatment by polypectomy. When the group of "non-curative polypectomies", (carcinoma in the surgical specimen: 34 patients) was compared to the group of "curative polypectomies" (carcinoma in the surgical specimen: 31 patients), there was no significant difference in the number of pedunculated or sessile polyps but a polyp's size exceeding 30 mm was significantly more frequent in the group of "non-curative polypectomies" (P less than 0.005) as well as a tubulo-villous or villous histological type (P less than 0.001) and presence of vascular neoplastic invasion (P less than 0.01). In conclusion, a surgical resection after endoscopic polypectomy of a polyp containing an invasive carcinoma is necessary for a polyp's size exceeding 30 mm, for a villous or tubulo-villous type and in the presence of vascular neoplastic invasion in the pathological analysis of the removed polyp.     

Endoscopic Removal of Large Sessile Colorectal Adenomas: Is It Safe and Effective?

Large sessile colorectal polyps represent a treatment challenge. Nowadays there are discrepancies regarding how to proceed with them because of morbidity, the possibility of incomplete endoscopic resection, and the high possibility of a coexisting malignancy. This study was performed to determine the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic removal of sessile colorectal adenomas larger than 4 cm. Seventy-four patients with a total of 74 sessile polyps larger than 4 cm in diameter were treated endoscopically. Polyps were removed using argon plasma coagulation (APC) as an adjunct to piecemeal technique. Surgery was recommended in patients with invasive neoplasia. Patients with favorable histology (low-grade dysplasia [LDG] or high-grade dysplasia [HGD]) were followed up with monthly endoscopies untill total ablation of the lesion, and then at 3- to 6-month intervals. LGD was found in 38 patients, HGD in 24, and invasive neoplasia in the remaining 12 patients. A total of 54 patients were followed up for at least 6 months. Recurrence rate of polyps with favorable histology was 9.2% (5/54). Postpolypectomy bleeding was the only complication, observed in 10 patients (13.5%). We conclude that piecemeal polypectomy plus APC without saline injection, performed by an expert endoscopist, is a safe and effective treatment for all LGD or HGD large sessile colorectal polyps.     

Endoscopic Removal of Large Colorectal Polyps

PURPOSE: Because of the potential risk of malignancy and technical difficulties in achieving complete removal, large colorectal polyps represent a special problem for the endoscopist. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capabilities and risks of endoscopy in complete removal of large colorectal polyps. METHODS: Endoscopic polypectomy of 186 colorectal polyps larger than 3 cm in diameter (range, 3-13 cm) was performed; 141 were sessile and 45 pedunculated. Most of the polyps were located in the rectum (n = 88), sigmoid (n = 63), and cecum (n = 9). The remaining adenomas were situated in other parts of the colon. Sessile polyps were removed using the piecemeal technique. RESULTS: Histology results showed an adenoma in 167 cases, and invasive carcinoma was present in the adenoma in 19 patients. Of the adenomas, 29 were tubulous, 118 tubulovillous, and 20 villous; adenoma with severe dysplasia was found in 49 cases. Complete endoscopic removal was achieved in all sessile and pedunculated polyps. None of the patients with invasive carcinoma who underwent surgical resection (n = 10) had any evidence of tumor in the resected specimen. Bleeding occurred in 4 patients after polypectomy (2 percent). Perforation occurred in 1 patient (0.5 percent), who had an invasive carcinoma of the cecum. There was no procedure-related mortality. During a mean follow-up period of 40 (range, 3-87) months, 6 patients presented with recurrence of a benign adenoma (3 percent), which was treated endoscopically, and 1 patient presented with a recurrent invasive carcinoma, which was treated surgically. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic polypectomy is a safe and effective method of treating large colorectal polyps.     

Endoscopic piecemeal resection with submucosal saline injection of large sessile colorectal polyps

BACKGROUND: Because endoscopic en bloc resection of large, sessile colorectal polyps is technically difficult, they are usually resected piecemeal. However, piecemeal resection makes it difficult to evaluate the completeness of the resection histopathologically. In this study the efficacy of endoscopic piecemeal resection of large, sessile colorectal polyps was investigated after follow-up greater than 1 year. METHODS: We removed 56 sessile colorectal polyps 2 cm or greater in diameter in 56 patients by using an endoscopic submucosal saline injection technique. Endoscopic examinations were repeated at 3, 6, and 12 months and longer after initial endoscopic resection. If no residual tumor was found endoscopically and histologically, the patient was considered to be "cured." RESULTS: Of the 56 polyps, 14 (25%) were resected en bloc, and 42 (75%) were resected piecemeal. Of the 42 patients treated with piecemeal resection, 23 (55%) required additional endoscopic or surgical interventions. In patients followed 1 year or longer after initial treatment, the cure rate by en bloc resection was 100% (14 of 14) and that by piecemeal resection was 83% (35 of 42). Arterial bleeding occurred in 4 patients (7%) during or after endoscopic resection. In 3 of them, bleeding was stopped by endoscopic clipping, but 1 patient required emergent laparotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic piecemeal resection after submucosal saline injection with an intensive follow-up program is a safe and effective treatment for large, sessile colorectal polyps.     

Endoscopic resection of large sessile colorectal polyps.

Colonoscopic removal of large, sessile polyps is difficult, but can be successfully carried out by experienced endoscopists. "Piecemeal" resection with an electrocautery snare was performed at our institution in 108 patients with 132 such lesions. The mean size of the unresected polyps was 3.0 cm. Complications occurred in 3.0% of polypectomies (3.8% of patients), with bleeding necessitating transfusion in 2.3% of polypectomies (2.8% of patients), and microperforation (probable) in the remainder. No patient required emergency surgery due to a complication. In 65 patients (60%), colonoscopic resection and follow-up alone was carried out. Of these, adenomas recurred/persisted in 28%, most of which were successfully re-resected. Nearly half of all recurrent polyps occurred after at least one negative intervening examination. Carcinoma later appeared in 17% of the recurrences despite apparent initial complete resection of a previously benign polyp. Cure was ultimately achieved in 88% of endoscopically managed patients. Surgical resection was required in 27% of patients, mostly following the initial polypectomy when invasive carcinoma was found in the specimen. No residual tumor was later found in 41% of the colon specimens from these patients. Ninety-one percent of cancers were favorable stage, whether discovered early or late. Follow-up colonoscopy was achieved in 77% of patients over an average of 3.7 years. Metachronous polyps were excised in 52 patients (63%) and metachronous carcinoma was diagnosed in 3 patients (3.6%). An aggressive regimen of surveillance colonoscopy is warranted in these patients to detect and manage local recurrences and to remove subsequent adenomas. Endoscopic resection of large sessile adenomas can be safe and effective.     

Success and complications of endoscopic removal of giant duodenal and ampullary polyps: a comparative series

BACKGROUND: Increasing reports suggest that endoscopic removal of benign ampullary and duodenal polyps is safe and frequently definitive; however, most reported polyps have been small in size (<3 cm). We have developed experience with endoscopic removal of increasingly large and complex polyps. PATIENTS: Fifty-one cases of endoscopic removal were attempted and grouped according to size: group A (n = 22) polyps 1 to 3 cm and group B (n = 29) polyps 3 cm or larger, including 7 cases larger than 5 cm. When the ampulla was involved, biductal sphincterotomy and prophylactic pancreatic duct stent placement was performed first, followed by saline solution-assisted piecemeal polypectomy, argon plasma coagulation, selective endoclip placement, and recovery of all polyp fragments. INTERVENTIONS: Endoscopic removal of duodenal and ampullary adenomas. RESULTS: The outcomes of small and large adenoma removal include mean number of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies required for complete removal (2.09 vs 2.56, P = .392), number of complications (4.5% vs 13.9%, P = .375), discovery of unsuspected cancer (0% vs 10.3%, P = .242), and final definitive resolution (100% vs 86.2%, P = .124). Complete removal was achieved in 92.2% of all patients. LIMITATIONS: This was a single center retrospective study. CONCLUSIONS: Large (>/=3 cm) ampullary and duodenal polyps comprised 56.9% of our endoscopically treated cases and present special challenges to definitive endoscopic removal. Successful removal of even very large sessile lesions is possible with minimal increase in risk.     

黏膜切除术治疗结直肠广基隆起性腺瘤性息肉98例临床研究

目的探讨内镜下黏膜切除术(endoscopic mucosal resection,EMR)治疗结直肠广基隆起性腺瘤性息肉患者的疗效。方法回顾性分析98例结直肠广基隆起性腺瘤性息肉(息肉直径0.6~2.0 cm)患者的临床资料并行EMR治疗。结果 98例均经电子结肠镜检查及术前病理诊断为腺瘤性息肉,均为广基隆起性病变,共120枚,行EMR,留取完整标本病理检查,创面均给予钛夹封闭。术后病理诊断为腺瘤性息肉113例,高级别瘤变4例,局部癌变3例,7例切缘均无癌细胞,未追加外科手术。1个月后复查见病变部位黏膜光滑,未见息肉及病变黏膜残留。高级别瘤变及局部癌变7例随访3年,未见肿瘤复发及它处转移。结论对于广基隆起性腺瘤性息肉行EMR较既往单纯的高频电灼或氩离子凝固术有助于发现早期癌,改善患者的预后。     

Sessile serrated adenomas: Demographic, endoscopic and pathological characteristics

AIM:To study the demographic and endoscopic characteristics of patients with sessile serrated adenoma(SSA) in a single center.METHODS:Patients with SSA were identified by review of the pathology database of Mayo Clinic Arizona from 2005 to 2007.A retrospective chart review was performed to extract data on demographics,polyp characteristics,presence of synchronous adenomatous polyps or cancer,polypectomy methods,and related complications.RESULTS:One hundred and seventy-one(2.9%) of all patients undergoing co...     

The effect of eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection on the course of adenomatous and hyperplastic gastric polyps.

OBJECTIVE: Histopathological and clinical data strongly suggest that Helicobacter pylori is the cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulceration. However, little has been written about the potential causal relation of H. pylori infection to hyperplastic and adenomatous gastric polyps. We therefore carried out a prospective study to determine the effect of eradicating H. pylori infection on the course of hyperplastic and adenomatous gastric polyps. METHODS: From November 1996 to December 1997, 6700 patients who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at the two centres in Zagreb, Croatia, were candidates for participation in the study. Hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps were diagnosed on a basis of at least three histological samples taken from the polyp. In seven patients endoscopy had to be repeated because forceps biopsy sampling either provided inadequate tissue for correct histological diagnosis, or accurate characterization of gastric polyp histology was not possible. Upon completion of all endoscopic examinations before and after treatment, biopsy samples were taken from the antrum (two) and the body of the stomach (two) so that gastritis could be graded and classified, and the presence of H. pylori sought by histology. Two other samples were taken from the antrum for a rapid urease test. Follow-up examinations were performed by using endoscopy. Control endoscopy was performed at least 4 weeks after the treatment of H. pylori infection had been completed, and then every 3-4 months. The follow-up ranged from 4 to 17 months, with a median of 14 months. The treatment of H. pylori infection consisted of a 1-week course of either omeprazole (20 mg twice daily) or pantoprazole 40 mg twice daily), and a 1-week course of amoxicillin 2g twice daily) and metronidazole (400 mg three times daily), and clarithromycin (500 mg twice daily). Eradication of H. pylori infection was assessed by repeated histology and rapid urease test. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (nine women, 12 men; median age 52 years) with histologically proven hyperplastic gastric polyps, and seven patients (two women, five men; median age, 67 years) with adenomatous gastric polyps were included in the study. Among 21 patients with hyperplastic gastric polyps, 16 patients (76%) were positive for H. pylori infection. Only two patients (29%) with adenomatous gastric polyps were positive for the infection. Complete eradication of H. pylori was initially achieved in all patients positive for H. pylori. Total regression of the gastric polyps was observed only among the patients with hyperplastic gastric polyps in whom H. pylori had been eradicated. Complete regression of the hyperplastic gastric polyps was observed in seven of the 16 evaluable patients (44%; 95% CI, 19-68%) after H. pylori eradication. The endoscopic snare polypectomy was carried out in nine patients with hyperplastic polyps and two patients with adenomatous gastric polyps in whom regression of the polyps was not observed after H. pylori eradication, as well as in five patients with hyperplastic and four with adenomatous gastric polyps who were negative for H. pylori. Exploratory laparotomy and gastrotomy with polyps excision were carried out in one patient with multiple adenomatous gastric polyps. In only one patient who was not positive for H. pylori recurrence of hyperplastic gastric polyp was recorded during follow-up, and no re-infection with H. pylori has been detected. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the development of hyperplastic gastric polyps may be directly related to chronic active gastritis and concomitant H. pylori infection. Cure of H. pylori infection associated with hyperplastic gastric polyps resulted in complete polyp regression in more than 40% of patients. Therefore, for patients with hyperplastic gastric polyps and concurrent H. pylori infection an antibiotic treatment designed to eradicate H. pylori appears to be recommended before further therapeutic options are consi     

Colonoscopic excision of large and giant colorectal polyps

Large polyps are sessile or pedunculated lesions that are larger than or equal to 3 cm in size. Sixty-six colonoscopic piecemeal excisions of large pedunculated and sessile polyps (75 percent of 88 recognized large polyps) were performed over eight years. The macroscopic feature of the lesions and the result of an extensive snare biopsy were the deciding factors for endoscopic as opposed to surgical removal. Only three complications (4.5 percent) were recorded (two hemorrhages and one colonic wall burn syndrome), none of which required surgery. Fifty patients with 52 adenomatous lesions had colonoscopic follow-up (range, 3 to 85 months). Of 36 sessile adenomas, two cases of residual (5.5 percent) and four of recurrent disease (11 percent) were observed. Colonoscopic removal is an alternative to local surgical excision of large benign colorectal polyps, and often can be an alternative method to elective colectomy in elderly and high-risk patients.     

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) before gastric polyp resection: is it mandatory?

INTRODUCTION: Gastric polypectomy is associated with increased risk of bleeding. The use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) before polypectomy to decrease the rate of bleeding in such patients has not been studied. METHODS: All gastric polyps excised by snare polypectomy were evaluated. The primary outcome was the occurrence of immediate or delayed bleeding episodes. Postpolypectomy bleeding was correlated with the presence of blood vessels at the base of the polyp on EUS examination. Characteristics of both patients and polyps were analyzed as risk factors for postpolypectomy bleeding. RESULTS: One-hundred and two snare polypectomies were performed. Fifty-seven polyps (56%) had been evaluated by prior EUS. Bleeding occurred in 7 (7%) patients. Of these, 4 had not undergone EUS evaluation, whereas in 3 patients who had had a prepolypectomy EUS evaluation, none were found to harbor a visible blood vessel. Bleeding did not occur in any of the 8 patients in whom EUS suggested the presence of blood vessel. The size, location, type, and histology did not show any significance in predicting postpolypectomy bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of bleeding after endoscopic resection of gastric polyps was 7%. EUS evaluation before gastric polypectomy does not seem to contribute to the safety of such a procedure.     

Colonoscopy surveillance for high risk polyps does not always prevent colorectal cancer

AIM To determine the frequency and risk factors for colorectal cancer(CRC) development among individuals with resected advanced adenoma(AA)/traditional serrated adenoma(TSA)/advanced sessile serrated adenoma(ASSA). METHODS Data was collected from medical records of 14663 subjects found to have AA, TSA, or ASSA at screening or surveillance colonoscopy. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease or known genetic predisposition for CRC were excluded from the study. Factors associated with CRC developing after endoscopic management of high risk polyps were calculated in 4610 such patients who had at least one surveillance colonoscopy within 10 years following the original polypectomy of the incident advanced polyp. RESULTS84/4610(1.8%) patients developed CRC at the polypectomy site within a median of 4.2 years(mean 4.89 years), and 1.2%(54/4610) developed CRC in a region distinct from the AA/TSA/ASSA resection site within a median of 5.1 years(mean 6.67 years). Approximately, 30%(25/84) of patients who developed CRC at the AA/TSA/ASSA site and 27.8%(15/54) of patients who developed CRC at another site had colonoscopy at recommended surveillance intervals. Increasing age; polyp size; male sex; right-sided location; high degree of dysplasia; higher number of polyps resected; and piecemeal removal were associated with an increased risk for CRC developmentat the same site as the index polyp. Increasing age; right-sided location; higher number of polyps resected and sessile endoscopic appearance of the index AA/TSA/ASSA were significantly associated with an increased risk for CRC development at a different site. CONCLUSION Recognition that CRC may develop following AA/TSA/ASSA removal is one step toward improving our practice efficiency and preventing a portion of CRC related morbidity and mortality.     

Disappearance of a Sessile Tuhulovillous Adenoma in the Rectosigmoid Colon during Radiation Therapy for Cervical Carcinoma

Colonoscopic polypectomy is the usual treatment for an adenomatous colorectal polyp. We report a case of a sessile tubulovillous adenoma in the rectosigmoid colon disappearing during a course of radiation therapy for an unrelated cervical cancer. This case report illustrates that at least some colonic polyps are radiosensitive and can be eradicated during radiation therapy.