Incidence of Primary Colorectal Cancer from Colonoscopy Examinations in Patients Presenting with Liver Mass
Siripong Sirikurnpiboon MD*, Burin Awapittaya MD*, Jerasak Wannaprasert MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, College of Medicine, Rangsit University Bangkok, Thailand
Background : An in-patient presented with atypical primary liver mass and was suspected of having liver metastasis. One
method of investigation is colonoscopy; however, there are currently no clear guidelines to indicate when this procedure
should be performed.
Material and Method: This was a retrospective review of 6 years’ data from the surgical endoscopic unit in Rajavithi
Hospital. The inclusion criteria were: (1) patient presented with liver mass, (2) radiological findings (mainly from CT scan
or MRI) were not typical for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholagiocarcinoma (ICGC) and other primary
liver tumors. The exclusion criteria were: (1) patients did not undergo the operation in Rajavithi Hospital, (2) there was loss
of patient data during the follow-up period.
Result: A total of 1,532 cases underwent colonoscopy, of which 109 met the inclusion criteria. There were 24 cases of positive
primary colorectal cancer and the incidence was 22% (95% CI 14.1-29.9), and 1 case of terminal ileum cancer. The final
results after operation showed 40 cases of HCC, and 21 cases of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinma. Risk factors for testing
positive for colorectal cancer were: presenting with GI symptoms; abnormal CEA levels; and positive family history of
colorectal cancer.
Conclusion : To increase the incidence of positive results for colorectal cancer and reduce unnecessary colonoscopy in
patients who present with liver mass, the factors which indicate colonoscopy should be patients who present with GI symptom,
abnormal CEA level, and whose family history raises concern.
Keywords : Colonoscopy, Primary colorectal cancer, Liver mass, Incidence
