Long-Term Incidence of Advanced Colorectal Neoplasia in Patients with Serrated Polyposis Syndrome: Experience in a Single Academic Centre

Abstract

Simple Summary

Serrated polyposis syndrome is characterized by the development of large and/or multiple serrated polyps throughout the colorectum and is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Even though CRC incidence is low under adequate endoscopic follow-up, a substantial risk of advanced neoplasia (AN) has been described. Nevertheless, very few studies have focused on long-term surveillance. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of AN in a single-centre cohort followed over 10 years. Within endoscopic surveillance we did not find any CRC and we observed that five-year cumulative incidences of AN were much lower than in other studies. However, a significant reduction of these incidences during follow-up was not proven. Individuals at higher risk of AN were those who fulfilled both 2010 WHO criteria I and III. Our results suggest that at least patients at lower risk might benefit from the extension of surveillance intervals.

Abstract

Serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) implies a slightly elevated risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) during endoscopic follow-up, but its natural course is still not well known. The main objective of this study was to describe the long-term risk of developing advanced neoplasia (AN) in these patients. Until October 2020, individuals who fulfilled 2010 WHO criteria I and/or III for SPS were retrospectively recruited. We selected those under endoscopic surveillance after resection of all lesions >3 mm in a high-quality colonoscopy. We excluded patients with total colectomy at diagnosis and those with any interval between colonoscopies >3.5 years. We defined AN as advanced serrated polyp (≥10 mm and/or with dysplasia), advanced adenoma, or CRC. In 109 patients, 342 colonoscopies were performed (median = 3, median interval = 1.8 years) during a median follow-up after colonic clearance of 5.0 years. Five-year cumulative incidences of AN were 21.6% globally, and 5.6%, 10.8%, and 50.8% in patients who fulfilled criterion I, III, and both, respectively ( p < 0.001). No CRC was diagnosed and only 1 (0.9%) patient underwent surgery. In conclusion, cumulative incidences of AN could be lower than previously described, at least in patients who fulfil the 2010 WHO criterion III alone. Therefore, low-risk individuals might benefit from less stringent surveillance.