title: [Colonoscopy: maximizing detection and characterization].
abstract: The endoscopic analysis of the colonic lumen with a flexible tube began around1960, at first with a gastrocamera, then with a fibrocolonoscope. After 1990, the electronic imaging brought a three points revolution with increased resolution of the image, transfer of the image on a television monitor giving access to multiple observers, electronic image processing. The recent colonoscopes have an increased resolution with more pixels in the Charged Coupled Device (CCD) sensor, a High Definition Television (HDTV) image and an electronic and/or optical zoom for magnification. Colonoscopy is now often performed in a similar environment to that of surgery. Therapeutic applications justify a strict strategy for endoscopic diagnosis. At first, detection of the lesion in standard vision, then characterization with the help of chromoscopy for the evaluation of morphology and with the help of magnification for the evaluation of the pit pattern. Then, comes the time for treatment decision between abstention, endoscopic resection or surgery. The legitimacy of the management is controlled in retrospective by the analysis of the tissue samples. Recent alternatives to colonoscopy (3D radiological imaging, colon capsule) should not invalidate the priority attributed to colonoscopy which associates treatment to the early detection of colorectal cancer and precursors.
authors.affiliation: Group of Screening, International Agency for Research on Cancer, 69372 Lyon cedex 08, France. lambert@iarc.fr
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lambert
mesh_terms: D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans