INTERVAL OF SURVEILLANCE AFTER COLONOSCOPIC EXAMINATION

Abstract

The main purpose of surveillance colonoscopy is reduction of morbidity and mortality from colorectal cancers. An appropriate surveillance program should be created with due regard to not only effectiveness towards morbidity and mortality but also burden, cost and capacity. Too many surveillance colonoscopies have been conducted in Japan compared with Western countries until now. Novel guidelines for the surveillance program based on risk stratification have been developed in Japan. The new guidelines are expected to be widely followed in colonoscopy practice.