Aim: First-degree relatives of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients are at increased risk for developing colorectal neoplasm, and current guidelines recommend screening colonoscopy in such individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of colonoscopy as the screening test in asymptomatic first-degree relatives of CRC patients.
Material and method: Colonoscopy was performed in 102 asymptomatic individuals who had at least one first-degree relatives with CRC. Subjects included in the screening program were aged between 36 and 72 years, and majority came from two counties (Suceava, Iaşi) located in north-eastern Romania.
Results: Thirty colorectal lesions were found in 17 individuals: two (6.6%) had adenocarcinomas, and remaining 15 patients had 28 polypoid lesions: 14 (46.6%) adenomas, 5 (16.6%) tubulovillous adenomas, 3 (10%) adenomas with high grade dysplasia and 6 (20%) had hyperplasic polyps.
Conclusion: Colonoscopy is a useful, feasible and safety initial screening tool for first-degree relatives of patients with CRC.