Detection and surveillance of colorectal cancer
D. E. Fleischer, S. B. Goldberg, T. H. Browning, J. N. Cooper, E. Friedman, F. H. Goldner, E. B. Keeffe and L. E. Smith
Division of Gastroenterology, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC 20007.
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer in the United
States. The overall mortality rate approaches 60%. However, the detection
of early lesions results in a mortality rate of 20% or less. Therefore, if
improvement in survival is to occur, increased efforts need to be focused
not only on primary prevention but also on early detection of malignant
lesions and the eradication of potentially malignant lesions. There is no
universal consensus as to how this can be accomplished. The purpose of this
article is to serve as a guideline, providing a practical basis for
improving early detection and management of colorectal cancer and its
precursors.
