| [ Summary ] |
Total colonoscopy has increasingly been used for screening as well as workup of colorectal cancer. If total colonoscopy is frequently used for screening, concerns over the utility and risks associated with the testing procedure itself are considerable, requiring cautious use of this technique. Considering the fact that it is thought “neoplastic lesions are of no significance if detected before they infiltrate the surrounding tissues,” intervals between total colonoscopic sessions could be extended to a considerable extent. If total colonoscopy is efficiently used in selected cases, with suitable timing, wasteful use will be reduced. This technique can then be used for workup and medical examinations at milestone ages. This may achieve the primary goal of colorectal cancer screening, that is, decreased mortality due to this malignancy. |