Abstract
[Aims] To evaluate the feasibility and yield of sequential upper and lower screening endoscopies, in which screening esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGDS) was conducted, followed by screening colonoscopy (CS).
[Subjects] A total of 10,183 consecutive subjects (7,757 male and 2,426 female), who underwent this type of endoscopic screening between October 1991 and September 2009, were assessed.
[Methods] After standard bowel preparation and using a sedative, EGDS and CS were sequentially conducted.
[Results] 1. Compliance of the subjects: (1) The subjects revisited our program at a rate of 58.4%. (2) EGDS was conducted without gagging in 92.2% of the subjects. (3) CS was conducted with no pain in 87.2% of the subjects, mild to moderate pain in 11.3% and severe pain in only 0.5 %. 2. Detected cancers: (1) Twelve cases of esophageal cancer (0.47% of the total number of subjects) were found, 11 of which were in the early stage and one was advanced. The rate of early-stage cancer was 91.7%. (2) Twenty-four cases of gastric cancer (0.94% of the total number of subjects) were found, 22 of which were in the early stage and two were advanced. The rate of early-stage cancer was 91.7%. (3) Forty-one cases of colorectal cancer (1.61% of the total number of subjects) were found, 34 of which were in the early stage and 7 were advanced. The rate of early-stage cancer was 82.9%.
[Conclusions] Our sequential upper and lower screening endoscopies showed a high subject compliance and a high detection rate of early-stage cancer, under expert endoscopists and appropriate sedatives.
