Colon polyps and cancer.

A number of recent publications dealing with colon polyps and cancer emphasize cost-effectiveness and the outcomes of screening and follow-up surveillance of high-risk groups. These groups include patients with either a past personal history or a family history of colorectal adenomas or cancer. Several papers address the effectiveness and compliance with different methods of screening of the asymptomatic, average-risk population for colorectal neoplasia. Other important publications deal with colorectal cancer prevention, the natural history of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, diagnosis of polyps and cancer, colonoscopic polypectomy, management of the patient with a malignant polyp, and endoscopic treatment of obstructing cancer.