Synchronous polyps in patients with colorectal cancer

Background: The aim of this study is to underscore the incidence of synchronous polyps in patients with colorectal cancer and to emphasise the importance of their perioperative detection and management. Patients and methods: Three hundred and seven patients underwent a potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer during the last ten years. A total of 129 synchronous polyps were detected in 72 of the patients (23.5%). Complete preoperative colonoscopy was performed in 62 of the patients. Forty-three polyps (33.4%) in 37 patients were removed preoperatively, while 69 polyps (53.4%) in 25 patients were included in the surgical specimen. In 10 patients the colon was evaluated postoperatively and 17 polyps (13.1%) were removed via endoscopy. Results: A total of 81 polyps were detected in different surgical segments than the index cancer. Furthermore, 15 polyps were detected in the right colon of 55 patients with left colon cancer. Conclusions: Synchronous polyps in patients with colorectal cancer are a frequent event. Thus, all patients should undergo a perioperative colonoscopy and endoscopic polypectomy, if feasible. The planned surgical procedure may alter as a consequence of the colonoscopic findings in some of the patients.