Diverticula, neoplasia, or both? Early detection of carcinoma in sigmoid diverticular disease.

In 105 patients with symptomatic sigmoid diverticular disease, colonoscopy revealed an associated frequency of carcinoma of seven (6.6%) (Dukes A in 4, B in 2, and C in 1) and adenomas in 29 (27.6%), with a peak incidence of 60 to 79 years and an equal sex distribution. In 45 (43%) examinations, the barium enema was inaccurate. The presenting complaints of abdominal pain and/or alteration in bowel habit in 36 patients with neoplasms and 69 without were similar, but significantly more patients with neoplasms complained of rectal bleeding (p less than 0.05). Endoscopic examination is therefore recommended in patients with sigmoid diverticular disease, particularly in those aged over 60 years and with rectal bleeding.