Colorectal polyp’s description and Classification during colonoscopy- a Quality improvement audit
Bowel cancer (a general term for cancer that begins in the large bowel, and medically known as colorectal cancer) is the 4th most common type of cancer in the UK [1]. There are more than 40,000 new cases of bowel cancer each year, of which around 54% are preventable cases. Bowel cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer death in the UK, with greater than 15000 bowel cancer deaths in the UK every year. Like most cancers, prognosis is strictly dependent on early detection and treatment of premalignant and malignant lesions. Majority of bowel cancer arise from neoplastic polyps. The English Bowel Cancer Screening Programme requires all polyps to be classified by an endoscopist using the Paris system- size, site and polyp morphology, as they influence assessment of malignancy in a lesion [2]. The Paris classification is both descriptive and predictive. PARIS Classification: This system allows classification for comparative and descriptive purposes and further allows prediction of polyp histology and direct appropriate therapy [3]. 1. Polypoid type consists of pedunculated (type 0-Ip) & sessile (0-Is) morphologies. 2. Non-polypoid or flat types consist of flat or slightly elevated (type 0-IIA), completely flat (0-IIB) & slightly depressed but not ulcerated (0-IIC) morphologies. 3. Truly excavated or ulcerated superficial lesions (type 0-III) are never seen in the colon.