Active clinical trials for "Polyps"

It is current practice to remove any polyps found during colonoscopy. This is because adenomatous polyps have the potential to turn into cancer. However, a proportion of polyps <10mm in size are hyperplastic, which cannot turn into cancer. Current practice requires these to be removed, as it is traditionally felt that they cannot be separated clinically from adenomas. This increases the risk of perforation and results in a significant cost in processing the samples. However, it has been suggested that it is possible to differentiate neoplastic from non neoplastic lesions using skills in polyp surface pattern recognition. If this is the case the investigators may be able to reduce the need for polypectomy The investigators believe that it is possible to tell the difference between polyps with cancerous potential and those that are harmless by assessment of surface patterns. This may enable us to improve the investigators clinical decisions when assessing polyps during colonoscopy, and reduce the number of unnecessary polypectomys being performed.

This study involves a primary VC screening for colorectal polyps. The research hypothesis is that VC screening, including surveillance of sub-cm polyps, is a safe and effective approach.

The use of acetic acid in the characterization of polyps, produces a homogeneous white staining in sessile serrated adenomas, but not in tubular or tubulo-villous adenomas, a simple approach to predict polyp histopathology. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the use of acetic acid on tubular and serrated adenomas, during colonoscopy, a prospective diagnostic accuracy study was designed, taking as gold standard the pathological anatomy of the resected polyps. Polyps found during a colonoscopy with suspicion of sessile serrated adenomas or tubular/tubulo villous will be included.

Primary, this study aims to develop and validate a computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) system for the characterization of colorectal polyps. Second, this study evaluates the effect of using a clinical classification model Blue Light Imaging Adenoma Serrated International (BASIC) on the diagnostic accuracy of the optical diagnosis of colorectal polyps compared to intuitive optical diagnosis for both expert endoscopists and novices.

Eliminating the need for conventional histopathological assessment of diminutive colon polyps - The Non-Optical Resect and Discard (NORD) study

Small growths detected in the colon (polyps) during a colonoscopy may or may not have the potential to develop into cancer. However, since visual inspection alone cannot separate all potentially harmful polyps from harmless ones, the standard approach is to remove them all for histological lab examination, exposing patients to risk of injury and putting a significant demand on hospital resources. An accurate method of determining polyp type during endoscopy would enable the clinician to only remove potentially harmful polyps. A new endoscopic optical imaging probe (OPTIC), which analyses how light interacts with tissue, is proposed to do this. The probe is contained within a normal endoscope and uses white light and blue/violet laser light to illuminate the tissue. The reflected and fluorescent light emitted, along with normal colour pictures of the polyp surface, are measured and recorded to quantify specific characteristics of each type. Optical measurements of polyps detected in endoscopy clinics at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust will be analysed to determine if the signal can be used to differentiate different polyp types.

INTRODUCTION: The data obtained by experimental studies about the influence of phytoestrogens on colorectal cancer (CRC) have been very promising. On the other hand, clinical trials have produced conflicting results. The literature suggests that some subclasses of phytoestrogens may have protective effects against CRC and colon adenomas, but most of these results come from population studies based on the dietary intake of phytoestrogens. On these premises, it is possible to hypothesize that the variability of the data reported in the literature may be due to the fact that the real absorption of phytoestrogens (by assessing their concentration in the serum or urine) and/or the ability of the single individual of producing equol was not evaluated. PURPOSE: In the present study, the association between the phytoestrogens intake and the prevalence of colon adenomas was evaluated not only on the basis of the simply dietary intake but also on the measurement their intestinal absorption. Moreover, a specific evaluation of equol production by the intestinal flora was performed. Finally, intestinal bacteria involved in equol production were evaluated.

This simple technique of attaching a transparent cap to the tip of the colonoscope has been evaluated in Japan for improving the detection of polyps and cecal intubation but has not been formally evaluated in the US and other western countries. In one study (19), the polyp detection rate was higher with the transparent cap compared to no cap (49% vs. 39%, p=0.04). Also, the cecal intubation time was shorter with the cap (11.5 min vs 14 min, p=0.008). In a recently published study, a variation of the cap called the transparent retractable extension device was used (21). Overall, the number of adenomas detected were significantly higher with the device compared to without it (205 vs. 150, p=0.04). In an earlier study by Tada et al (22), use of a transparent cap improved the detection rate of lesions per patient (0.86 vs. 0.58) but did not increase the cecal intubation time. Finally, Lee et al (20) used cap assisted colonoscopy in patients with difficult colonoscopy procedure (defined as failure to pass through sigmoid colon after 20 minutes or failure to reach cecum). Using the cap, cecal intubation was achieved in 94% of patients and this proved to be an effective rescue method for failed or difficult colonoscopy. The major appeal of this technique is that it is inexpensive, very practical, and easy to use. Furthermore it is safe and there are no reported complications from this. If found to be effective in increasing the polyp yield it has the potential to being incorporated by busy gastroenterologists in their day to day clinical practice. These features and the preliminary data from Japan merit the evaluation of this promising technique in the US.

The goal of this research is to conduct a pilot clinical study to image colonic polyps with the intent to evaluate the potential use of Optical Frequency Domain Imaging (OFDI) to identify the extent of invasion (if present), differentiate between hyperplastic polyps and adenomas, and identify serrated polyps.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death in the Western world. It can be effectively prevented by removal of pre-malignant polyps during colonoscopy. Large (≥20mm) non-pedunculated colorectal polyps (LNPCPs) represent 2-3% of colorectal polyps and require special attention prior to treatment. If submucosal invasive cancer (SMI) is suspected, careful decision making is required to exclude features which unacceptably increase the risk of lymph node metastases and render local treatment (endoscopic) non-curative. Such patients require a multi-disciplinary approach and consideration of surgery +/- systemic therapy. Unfortunately, current classification systems are complex, require extensive training and technology not available in the majority of non-tertiary hospitals. They are therefore underused leading to incorrect decision making and negative patient outcomes (e.g. piecemeal resection without the chance of endoscopic cure or unnecessary further procedures in referral centres with resultant surgery anyway or surgery for benign disease). Studies from the field of psychology show that humans are often capable of making correct decision based on their Blink (first) impression. It is also suggested that this Blink impression is based on experience and training. This might suggest that experienced or specialist endoscopist are better at diagnosing SMI within colorectal polyp at Blink impression. The investigators hypothesize that by training the Blink impression, endoscopist of varying experience are able to detect cancer within LNPCPs. This can be proven by assessing the Blink impression of endoscopist of varying experience regarding the presence of SMI within LNPCPs. Increasing the accuracy of the determination of SMI within colon polyps would directly translate into improvements in patient care and outcome. For example, if SMI is present and is not suspected, patients may undergo unnecessary endoscopic procedures for an LNPCP which will eventually require surgery anyway (inconvenience, delayed correct treatment). If the incorrect technique is performed in the context of superficial SMI, adequate assessment of complete excision or extent and type of SMI may not be possible and a patient who would otherwise have been cured may require surgery anyway (under-treatment, below standard of care outcome, delay to treatment). Conversely, if SMI is suspected in its absence patients may undergo unnecessary surgery, increased healthcare spends and mortality (over-treatment, unnecessary risk). If the presence of SMI could be accurately determined in real-time using endoscopic imaging, delays to treatment, over-treatment and the associated morbidity for patients could be avoided.