Korean J Med.  2025 Feb;100(1):19-25. 10.3904/kjm.2025.100.1.19.

Colorectal Cancer after Colonoscopy: Causes and Prevention Strategies

• Choi S
• Jung Y

• KMID: 2564341
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2025.100.1.19

Abstract

Colorectal cancer ranks second in incidence and third in cancer-related mortality in Korea, and screening colonoscopies are being used more frequently to facilitate early detection and treatment. Some cancers are diagnosed after colonoscopy but before the recommended surveillance interval: this is referred to as post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer (PCCRC). A recent meta-analysis revealed that interval cancers occur in 8.2% of cases, with proximal PCCRC accounting for 9.7% and distal PCCRC for 5.4%. The primary causes of PCCRC include inadequate bowel preparation, missed lesions, incomplete resection, and development of new lesions. Ensuring high-quality endoscopic procedures and achieving complete resection will be critical to addressing these causes and preventing PCCRC.

Keyword

Colorectal neoplasms; Colonoscopy; Early detection of cancer; 대장암; 대장내시경; 암의 조기 발견