Long-term outcomes for Advanced Colorectal Polyps in the BowelScreen Programme

Colonoscopies performed as part of a colorectal cancer screening programmes regularly identify large non-pedunculated colorectal polyps (LNPCPs). Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) is a minimally invasive endoscopic resection strategy, for effective management of LNPCPs. There is limited published data on clinical outcomes for EMR carried out within screening programmes.

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively-maintained EMR database of BowelScreen patients in a single centre over a 5 year period.

Fifty-two polyps in 50 patients underwent EMR in the study period. Median polyp size was 25mm (range 20-70mm). Adenocarcinoma was identified in 7.8% of resection specimens (n 4/51). Complications were recorded in 5.7% of EMRs (n 3/52). Surveillance was completed for 87.8% (n=36/41) of eligible patients with a site-check recurrence rate of 8.3% (n 3/36). Recurrence was successfully managed endoscopically through the surveillance programme with an 18 month recurrence rate of 2.7% (n 1/36). Surgery was avoided in 92% (n 46/50) of patients undergoing EMR.

Complex polyps identified in the colorectal cancer screening programme are effectively and definitively managed by minimally invasive endoscopic resection.. Low recurrence and complication rates underscore the value of EMR as part of a screening programme. Post-EMR surveillance identifies a small number of endoscopically manageable recurrences, with encouragingly high levels of compliance.