Repeat colonoscopy screening after 3 years

The PLCO trial is evaluating the effect of flexible sigmoidoscopy (FSG) on colorectal cancer mortality. The trial screened the intervention group upon entry to the study and then in three years. Individuals included in this analysis had an initial FSG that showed no abnormalities or masses and then underwent a screening FSG three years later.

Of the 11,583 individuals without an abnormality or mass on initial FSG, 9,317 (80.4 percent) returned for repeat screening after three years. Of the people who returned, 1,292 (13.9 percetn) had a polyp or mass detected. Of those with a polyp or mass, 951 (73.6 percent) went on to have follow-up screening, colonoscopy or repeat FSG. In the distal colon, 292 (3.1 percent) were found to have an adenoma (a pre-cancerous polyp) and 78 (0.8 percent) were found to have either an advanced adenoma or cancer.

Reference: Schoen RL, Pinsky PF, et al. "Results of Repeat Sigmoidoscopy 3 Years After a Negative Examination." Journal of the American Medical Association. Vol. 290, No. 1. July 2, 2003.

Cancer terms:
Prognosis: Prognosis is a term used to describe the expected outcome of the disease. When the doctor says "this patients prognosis is good", that means the long term outlook is good. See cancer terms for more cancer related terms.