Interval Colorectal Cancers in a Fecal Immunochemical Test-Based Screening Program

  • 0Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

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Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Interval colorectal cancer (CRC) is more common after colonoscopy than after a negative fecal immunochemical test (FIT). Higher adenoma detection rates (ADR) during colonoscopy correlate with worse survival, indicating potential limitations in current screening methods.

Area Of Science

  • Gastroenterology
  • Oncology
  • Public Health

Background

  • Interval colorectal cancers (CRCs) are diagnosed after negative screening tests or negative colonoscopies.
  • Understanding the risks associated with different screening pathways is crucial for optimizing CRC prevention strategies.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To compare the incidence, mortality, and survival of interval CRC following fecal immunochemical testing (post-FIT interval CRC) versus colonoscopy (postcolonoscopy interval CRC) within Taiwan's screening program.

Main Methods

  • A cohort study analyzed participants aged 50-74 in Taiwan's CRC Screening Program (2004-2012).
  • Two cohorts were defined: negative FIT results and positive FIT results with negative colonoscopy.
  • Data linkage with Taiwan Cancer Registry and Death Registry (up to 2019) was used to identify interval CRC and survival outcomes.
  • Analysis stratified by hospital-level adenoma detection rate (ADR).

Main Results

  • Interval CRC incidence and mortality were significantly higher after colonoscopy compared to after a negative FIT.
  • Postcolonoscopy interval CRC incidence was 0.75/1000 person-years vs. 0.09/1000 person-years for post-FIT.
  • Higher hospital-level ADR was associated with lower incidence and mortality of postcolonoscopy interval CRC, but paradoxically, higher CRC-specific death within this subgroup.
  • Adjusted hazard ratios indicated a 7-fold higher incidence and 5-fold higher mortality for postcolonoscopy vs. post-FIT interval CRC.

Conclusions

  • Individuals with positive FIT results undergoing colonoscopy have a substantially higher risk of developing CRC.
  • Higher ADR during colonoscopy may indicate more thorough examination but is linked to worse survival for interval CRC, suggesting limitations in current colonoscopic surveillance.
  • Further research is needed to explore the interplay between procedural factors and biological aspects influencing CRC outcomes.