Screening colonoscopy in asymptomatic average-risk persons with negative fecal occult blood tests

Gastroenterology. 1991 Jan;100(1):64-7. doi: 10.1016/0016-5085(91)90583-7.

Abstract

Colonoscopy was performed on 210 asymptomatic average-risk persons, aged 50-75 years, who had negative fecal occult blood test results. Colonoscopy was complete to the cecum in 209 subjects. Fifty-three subjects (25%) had adenomas and two had cancer. All of the adenomas greater than or equal to 1 cm in size and both cancers occurred in subjects aged greater than or equal to 60 years. Fifty-one percent of subjects with adenomas and one with cancer had no neoplasms distal to the sigmoid-descending colon junction. One subject had a major postpolypectomy hemorrhage that stopped spontaneously. Screening colonoscopy, therefore, has a high yield for detection of neoplasms in asymptomatic average-risk persons aged greater than or equal to 60 years with negative fecal occult blood test results. The yield is low in persons aged 50-54 years and intermediate in persons aged 55-59 years.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / prevention & control*
  • Aged
  • Colonoscopy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Polyps / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Occult Blood*
  • Risk Factors