Closing the gap for post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer

Abstract

Colonoscopy is key in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of colorectal cancer. This technique allows the full examination of the colonic mucosa and resection of most pre-neoplastic lesions. However, as with any observer-dependent procedure, colonoscopy has limitations. In this sense, post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer is a well-described entity, and accounts for up to 8·2% of incident colorectal cancer cases.1 Post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer is associated with endoscopists' ability to evaluate the colonic mucosa and resect colonic lesions.