An evaluation of left sided colonic polyps as a marker for right sided cancers

The detection of a left-sided polyp on flexible sigmoidoscopy has been suggested as providing a heralding sign for right-sided tumours. We assessed our own experience with right-sided colonic cancers with reference to detection modality, surgical intervention and their association with left-sided polyps. We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively collected colorectal cancer database, with endoscopic and radiological records. Patients were subcategorised on the basis of the presence or absence of left-side polyps. Ninety-one consecutive patients who underwent curative surgery for right-sided colonic cancers were studied. Endoscopy was used to detect right-sided carcinomas in 10 (83%) of the 12 cases with synchronous left-sided polyps and radiological imaging utilised in 2 cases. In patients without evidence of left sided disease endoscopy was used in 40 (51%) of the 79 patients. In our experience most right sided cancers do not have a synchronous polyp evident on the left side 79 (87%).