Growth of colorectal polyps: recovery and evaluation of unresected polyps of less than 10 mm, 1 year after detection.
METHODS
Colonoscopic 1-year control of polyps of less than 10 mm left in situ was carried out in 103 (89%) of 116 originally examined patients.


RESULTS
Analysis showed an 85% recovery: 91% and 81% for polyps of 5-9 mm and < 5 mm, respectively. The recovery was significantly related to size and localization, whereas the growth rate was inversely correlated to the originally measured diameter. A linear relationship was demonstrated between anus-to-polyp distances 1 year apart, with a normalized agreement index of 0.70. In only 1 of 189 polyps, an increase of diameter to > 10 mm was demonstrated. The 79 new polyps in 52 (50%) of the patients were significantly smaller, more often right-sided, and related to multiplicity of polyps at the initial examination but not to growth of recovered polyps or cleansing status.


CONCLUSIONS
An acceptable recovery and growth rate of polyps < 10 mm seems to justify the continuation of the study for the remaining 2 years.
Hofstad
B
B
Medical Dept, Ullevål Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Vatn
M
M
Larsen
S
S
Osnes
M
M
D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007417:Intestinal Polyps / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors