Outcomes and adverse factors for endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of colorectal polyps in elderly patients

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is an invaluable technique, however it is associated with significant risks. In the elderly in particular, the long-term survival benefits of polyp resection with EMR are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcomes in elderly patients who had undergone EMR and to identify any adverse factors.

A retrospective observational study on patients of 75 years of age or greater, who underwent EMR of colorectal polyps, in a single tertiary centre, from 2005 to 2014. Demographics of the patients, including Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), endoscopic and histological data, were reviewed to identify potential factors predicting outcomes.

The patients' median age was 80 years. In total 239 procedures were performed in 206 unique patients. The complication rate was 1.6%. Mean overall survival was 6.7 years with only one patient dying from metastatic colorectal cancer (0.5%) and 49 dying from non-colorectal cancer conditions (24%). Age more than 79 years and CCI more than 2 were independent predictors of significantly shorter survival (p=<0.01). Gender, size of the removed polyps and total number of polyps were not statistically significantly affecting survival. Patients who had more than two colonoscopies were found to have a survival benefit (p=0.02).

EMR of colonic polyps is safe even for elderly patients. However, the decision to proceed to complex endoscopic therapy should be individualised considering the patients' age and comorbidities. CCI can help to objectively assess the comorbid state of a patient prior to such decisions.