Possibility of different cancer development between the proximal and distal colon: comparison of the distribution between adenomatous polyps and cancer.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the distribution of adenomatous polyps with that of cancer in the colon by using adenomatous polyps removed by colonoscopy. METHODOLOGY: 1223 adenomatous polyps removed by an endoscopic polypectomy were compared with 226 colon cancers with regard to their distribution, size and age. RESULTS: With patients over 65 years of age, the incidence of adenomatous polyps was lower in the proximal colon than in the distal colon, however, the incidence of cancer was higher in the proximal colon than in the distal colon (p<0.05). The distribution of adenomatous polyps according to size was also significantly different between the proximal and distal colon (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results thus suggest that some difference may exist in cancer development between the proximal and distal colon.