Extrait

Background and study aims Bowel polyps are small, benign (harmless) growths found on the inner lining of the colon (end part of the large intestine) or rectum. They are not usually cancerous, however if they are found they should be removed as some will eventually turn into cancer if left untreated. People who have been found to have bowel polyps need to undergo colposcopies in order to monitor the growth of polyps and check for new ones. This involves having a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end being inserted into the anus to look at the lining of the large intestine. The aim of this study is to find out how often these colonoscopies should take place to best monitor patients with bowel polyps to prevent the development of cancer. Who can participate? Patients aged between 20 and 71 attending St Mark’s Hospital between 1979-1990 with bowel polyps or bowel cancer. What does the study involve? Patients are divided into groups depending on their risk of developing bowel cancer. Those who have a high risk are randomly allocated to undergo colonoscopies at 12-18 month intervals or every three years. Those who have a low risk are randomly allocated to undergo examinations every three years or every five years. Throughout the study, all patients are monitored for the development of bowel cancer and at the end of the study, the best possible frequency of monitoring is determined. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Not provided at time of registration Where is the study run from? Imperial College London (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? January 1979 to January 1990 Who is funding the study? 1. National Institute for Health Research, Health Technology Assessment Programme (UK) 2. Cancer Research UK (UK) Who is the main contact? Professor Wendy Atkin [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Colorectal Cancer

Liens

• ictrp
• isrctn