Ramphal W, et al. - Whether there was a higher risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) after an occurrence of uncomplicated diverticulitis, as well as specific tumor characteristics, was investigated in this retrospective observational study. Findings revealed that, even though CRC was rare after uncomplicated diverticulitis, in cases of alarm symptoms, a colonoscopy was indicated. Data reported that in cases where CRC was diagnosed, it was often advanced with a higher TNM stage and poor prognosis.

Methods

• Between 2008 and 2013, patients with acute diverticulitis (Hinchey 0 and 1) who were conservatively treated with or without antibiotics were involved.
• For this analysis, patients with endoscopic follow-up were recruited.
• According to patients’ presentation of alarm symptoms, tumor characteristics of patients diagnosed with CRC during colonoscopic follow-up was the primary endpoint.

Results

• A total of 977 subjects were conservatively treated for an episode of acute diverticulitis, and 645 of them had a colonoscopy during follow-up.
• Findings revealed that 10 patients were diagnosed with CRC, and nine displayed alarm symptoms.
• Data revealed that one patient was diagnosed with stage I disease, four had stage II, and five had stage III disease.