Evaluation of polypoid lesions in inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract

This article discusses patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a group which is at increased risk for colorectal carcinoma based on extent and duration of their disease. Patients with chronic IBD (at least 8-10 years duration) should be screened with colonoscopy every 1 to 2 years with multiple jumbo biopsies every 10 cm through the entire colon. Patients with sporadic adenomas can be followed after complete polypectomy, whereas patients with adenoma-like dysplasia-associated lesion or mass (DALMs) need increased surveillance. Patients with flat dysplasia or non adenoma-like DALMs are at high risk for progression and should undergo colectomy. The patients who have indeterminate lesions can be differentiated based on the endoscopic, histologic, and molecular features of the lesion. Long-term follow-up is necessary to determine the natural history of these lesions.