Serrated Polyposis Syndrome Heightens Risk of CRC

A new systematic review and meta-analysis confirms an increased risk of colorectal cancer in patients with serrated polyposis syndrome. Researchers published their findings online ahead of print in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

“Our meta-analysis demonstrated that patients with serrated polyposis syndrome have an elevated risk of colorectal cancer,” researchers wrote, “which is highest at the time of diagnosis and suggests the importance of early serrated polyposis syndrome recognition and screening to modify colorectal cancer risk.”

The analysis spanned 36 studies involving 2788 patients with serrated polyposis syndrome.

According to the results, the risk of colorectal cancer in patients with serrated polyposis syndrome was 19.9% overall. At the time of serrated polyposis syndrome diagnosis, the colorectal cancer risk was 14.7%. Risk during surveillance, meanwhile, was 2.8%.

“The persistently elevated colorectal cancer risk during surveillance supports current guidelines recommending heightened surveillance protocols,” researchers observed.

The study also found that 7% of patients had a history of colorectal cancer at the time of their serrated polyposis syndrome diagnosis.

The finding suggests that “serrated polyposis syndrome is under-recognized,” researchers wrote, “possibly because the polyps have been often referred as hyperplastic polyps.”

—Jolynn Tumolo

Reference

Muller C, Yamada A, Ikegami S, et al. Risk of colorectal cancer in serrated polyposis syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. Published online ahead of print June 2, 2021