Colonic polyp surveillance
The repeating of a colonoscopy may be indicated if the polyps removed during colonoscopy are of a type considered to have the potential to turn into a cancer, the largest two groups being adenomas and sessile serrated lesions. That process, however, is estimated to take about 10 years.
The aim of a surveillance colonoscopy is to ensure that polyps can be detected and removed before any malignant (cancerous) change occurs. Intervals for surveillance colonoscopy are determined by the size, number and character of the polyps removed on the previous examinations as per the NHMRC guidelines. These were recently updated in 2019 with a marked increased in complexity. Occasionally, slightly different surveillance intervals are recommended dependent on individual patient factors.
