Colonic Polyp Surveillance

This condition is treated in the Gastroenterology clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to referral standards and include in particular:

Initial work up:

Provide details of:

• Last colonoscopy report and histology (if possible or date and site of examination)
• Family history including:
  • Family member's relationship to patient
  • Family member's age at diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) or polyps
  • Any family history of uterine, ovarian, gastric or small intestinal tumour
• Medications especially anticoagulants and reason for prescription, iron, NSAIDs, steroids and hypoglycaemic agents.
• History of cardiovascular disease, renal disease, liver disease, diabetes.

Based on the published NHMRC guidelines for polyp follow-up.

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Gastroenterology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

All patients referred for surveillance colonoscopies after removal of polyps or for family history are triaged according to the following guidelines:

• Colorectal cancer risk according to family history

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

GESA Guideline: Bowel Cancer “Early Detection, Screening and Surveillance"

Clinic appointments

? Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Semi-urgent (Category 2)

Refer for repeat colonoscopy 3 months after previous colonoscopy if:

• Piecemeal removal, or excision of malignant adenoma OR
• Incomplete excision of a large adenoma

Routine (Category 3)

Refer for repeat colonoscopy within a year if:

Incomplete or inadequate examination

• e.g. Multiple adenomas

Refer for repeat colonoscopy within 3 years for:

• Large adenomas (over 1 cm)
• High-grade dysplasia
• Villous change
• Three or more adenomas

Refer for repeat colonoscopy within 4“6 years for:

• Those without the preceding risk factors for colorectal cancer

Next available appointment

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 - Specialist Clinics

Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5227

North West

All North West referrals are managed via  Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 03 6478 5222
Fax: 03 6441 5942

South

Wellington Clinics (Level 10)
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 3982