[Colonoscopic screening of asymptomatic individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer].

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: First-degree relatives of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients are at increased risk for developing colorectal neoplasm. The aim of our study was to evaluate the use of total colonoscopy as the screening test in asymptomatic individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Colonoscopy was performed in 125 asymptomatic individuals (64 men and 61 women; mean age 51.7 +/- 11.5 years, range 24-77 years) who had one or two first-degree relatives with CRC.

RESULTS

Forty-five colorectal lesions were found in 36 subjects (28.8%): one (0.8%) adenocarcinoma, and 44 polyps (31 adenomas; 13 hiperplasic) (28.0%). The cecum was intubated in 96% of cases, and the procedure was generally well tolerated without complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Total colonoscopy is a useful and safe screening procedure for the examinations of asymptomatic individuals with a family history of CRC.