Adenoma, advanced adenoma and colorectal cancer prevalence in asymptomatic 40-to 49-year-old subjects with a first-degree family history of colorectal cancer

AimFirst-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) have an increased CRC risk. Few studies have addressed if adenoma and advanced adenoma risk is increased among individuals, 40-49years of age, with a family history of CRC. Therefore, the aim of the study was to define the prevalence and location of adenoma, advanced adenoma and CRC, according to age, in asymptomatic individuals with a family history of CRC. MethodRetrospective study of asymptomatic FDRs, 40 to 70years of age undergoing first screening colonoscopy over a 3-year period, of CRC patients. ResultsAmong 464 individuals studied, the prevalence of adenoma and advanced adenoma was 18.1% and 6.4%, respectively. According to age intervals, the prevalences of adenoma and advanced adenoma were 14% and 3.5%, respectively, in subjects 40-49years of age; 14.4% and 6.3%, respectively, in subjects 50-59years of age; 27% and 8%, respectively, in subjects 60-69 years of age; and 25% and 14%, respectively, in subjects 70years of age; no significant difference was found among the four groups. No difference in lesion location was found, with similar numbers of preneoplastic lesions being present in the right colon and the left colon. CRC was diagnosed in three (0.64%) subjects, one of whom was in the 40-49years age group. ConclusionIn our population of FDRs of CRC patients, 40-49years of age, the prevalences of adenoma and advanced adenoma were similar to those observed in older subjects with the same CRC risk. Our data support the current indication to perform screening colonoscopy earlier than 45years of age in subjects at high CRC risk.