Clinical significance of total colonoscopy for screening of colon lesions in patients with esophageal cancer.

AIM The objective of the present study was to evaluate the significance of pre-treatment screening for patients with esophageal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective evaluation of the clinical significance of total colonoscopy in 136 patients with primary esophageal cancer was performed. RESULTS Twenty-three patients (16.9%) had diverticula, and five (3.7%) had colon cancer. Benign polyps were present in 57 patients (41.9%); 37 of these patients underwent endoscopic treatment, one underwent surgery (esophagectomy). Twenty-seven out of 32 patients (84.4%) who underwent histopathological studies had tubular adenoma. Significant associations were found between presence of colorectal lesions and body weight, body-mass index (p<0.001), Brinkman index (p<0.001), and the Sake index (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Screening for colorectal lesions using total colonoscopy is important in patients with esophageal cancer, especially for those with a high body-mass index, and those who smoke or drink heavily.