COLONOSCOPY AND POLYPECTOMY: OVERVIEW AND UPDATE

Abstract
The chance of an average-risk individual developing colorectal cancer in their lifetime is approximately 6%. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States, with approximately 140 000 new cases diagnosed and over 50 000 deaths annually. The vast majority of colorectal cancers progress from adenomas to cancer over a long time period, which allows a unique opportunity to intervene and interrupt the natural history of this disease. It has now been well established that the removal of adenomas from the colon (polypectomy) can prevent the development of colorectal cancer. The present review will familiarize the non-endoscopist with the expected benefits and risks of colonoscopy, basic principles of the procedure and technical aspects of the equipment, as well as recent advances and controversies.

Key words
Colonoscopy, endoscopy, polypectomy, colorectal cancer, colonic neoplasms

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