Abstract
Background and study aims Recent studies suggest that differences in biological characteristics and risk factors
across cancer site within the colon and rectum may translate to differences in survival.
It can be challenging at times to determine the precise anatomical location of a lesion
with a luminal view during colonoscopy. The aim of this study is to determine if there
is a significant difference between the location of colorectal cancers described by
gastroenterologists in colonoscopies and the actual anatomical location noted on operative
and pathology reports after colon surgery.
Patients and methods A single-center retrospective analysis of colonoscopies of patient with reported
colonic masses from January 2005 to April 2014 (n = 380) was carried. Assessed data
included demography, operative and pathology reports. Findings were compared: between
the location of colorectal cancers described by gastroenterologists in colonoscopies
and the actual anatomical location noted on operative reports or pathology samples.
Results We identified 380 colonic masses, 158 were confirmed adenocarcinomas. Of these 123
underwent surgical resection, 27 had to be excluded since no specific location was
reported on their operative or pathology report. An absolute difference between endoscopic
and surgical location was found in 32 cases (33 %). Of these, 22 (23 %) differed by
1 colonic segment, 8 (8 %) differed by 2 colonic segments and 2 (2 %) differed by
3 colonic segments.
Conclusion There is a significant difference between the location of colorectal cancers reported
by gastroenterologists during endoscopy and the actual anatomical location noted on
operative or pathology reports after colon surgery. Endoscopic tattooing should be
used when faced with any luminal lesions of interest.
