Abstract
Background/Aims: The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing in Korea, but the epidemiology of colorectal neoplasm is not clearly defined. We aimed to elucidate the prevalence of colorectal neoplasm in average-risk Koreans and explore the underlying risk factors. Methods: A large-scale, multicenter, prospective study was conducted. Of the 19,460 subjects who underwent colonoscopy at 11 university hospitals, we analyzed 3,951 consecutive asymptomatic adults with no risk factors for colorectal cancer. Results: The subjects were aged 52.1±11.6 years (mean±SD) and 60.1% of them were men. The prevalences of colorectal neoplasm and advanced neoplasm were 33.3% and 2.2%, respectively. The prevalence of a neoplasm increased with age (trend: p<0.001) and was higher in males (p<0.001). The prevalence of a proximal neoplasm was higher in subjects with a distal neoplasm than in those without a distal neoplasm (11.9% vs. 5.4%, p<0.001). However, 150 (52.1%) of the 288 subjects with a proximal neoplasm had no distal neoplasm. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of colorectal neoplasm in asymptomatic average-risk Koreans is comparable with that in Western countries. Being male and older are associated with a higher risk of colorectal neoplasm. Over half of proximal neoplasms are not associated with any distal sentinel lesions. (Gut and Liver 2009;3:35-40).
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 35-40 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Gut and Liver |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2009 |
Keywords
- Colonoscopy
- Colorectal neoplasms
- Korea
- Mass screening
- Prevalence