Value of coloscopy in the detection of sigmoid malignancy in patients with diverticular disease.

Coloscopy was accurate in 83% of patients referred because of a radiological suspicion of malignancy in a diverticula-bearing sigmoid colon. In 17% the sigmoid could not be reached or inspected because of deformity or stenosis. All 13 coexisting carcinomas were correctly diagnosed endoscopically except for one which could not be reached. Coloscopy is therefore a valuable adjunct in detecting or eliminating cancer in colonic diverticular disease.