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Interval Colorectal Cancers: What and Why

  • GI Oncology (R Bresalier, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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An Erratum to this article was published on 28 March 2014

Abstract

An increasing number of studies now indicate that colonoscopic examination is not perfect in preventing colorectal cancer (CRC), especially of the proximal colon. Several factors can be implicated in the occurrence of interval CRCs—further referred to as postcolonoscopy CRCs-, such as missed, incompletely resected lesions and newly developed cancers. Missed lesions represent by far the dominant cause of postcolonoscopy CRCs, with nonpolypoid (flat or depressed) neoplasms and sessile serrated polyps playing a significant role. Molecular events underlying progression of such lesions may further augment the cancer risk. In this article, we review the literature about postcolonoscopy CRC risk and the most common explanations. We discuss potential implications, paying special attention to improvements required in education and training.

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Conflict of Interest

Chantal le Clercq has no conflicts of interest. Silvia Sanduleanu serves as a consultant for Pentax B.V. the Netherlands.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the author.

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  1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Postbox 5800, 6202, AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Chantal M. C. le Clercq & Silvia Sanduleanu

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  1. Chantal M. C. le Clercq
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  2. Silvia Sanduleanu
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Correspondence to Silvia Sanduleanu.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on GI Oncology

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le Clercq, C.M.C., Sanduleanu, S. Interval Colorectal Cancers: What and Why. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 16, 375 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-014-0375-3

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