Adherence to post colorectal cancer surveillance colonoscopy guidelines at a tertiary care center

Abstract

BackgroundSurveillance colonoscopy 1 year after resection of colorectal cancer is recommended by all major societies, including National Comprehensive Cancer Network and United States Multi Society Task Force. Study objectivesOur study assesses adherence to post colorectal cancer resection surveillance colonoscopy guidelines at a large tertiary care center and aims to identify reasons for non-adherence. MethodsA retrospective study was conducted for patients who underwent curative resection for colorectal cancer between January 2016 and June 2017. Adherence to surveillance colonoscopy for non-obstructed or partially obstructed colon and rectal cancers was defined as performance of colonoscopy 11–14 months and 11–15 months after surgery, respectively. ResultsA total of 80 patients were identified. Mean age was 66±13 years and 58% (n=46) were males. 60% (n=48) had colon cancer and 40% (n=32) had rectal cancer. 69% (n=24) of patients with colon cancer and 42% (n=8) of patients with rectal cancer adhered to surveillance colonoscopy guidelines and the mean time to colonoscopy was 315±44 days and 369±103 days, respectively. The most commonly identified reasons for non-adherence to surveillance colonoscopy included metastases (10.9%) and patients’ refusal to undergo surveillance (6.5%). ConclusionOverall, post colorectal cancer resection to follow up surveillance is inadequate. There is a need to identify barriers to surveillance post colorectal cancer resection and address them.