The prevalence of polyp in colon of patients with acromegaly.

Several studies have shown that patients with acromegaly are at increased risk of developing colorectal polyps and cancer. The prevalence of polyp in colon of patients with acromegaly was variously reported between 23% and 53%. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of polyp and cancer of colon in patients with acromegaly. Twenty-three patients with acromegaly were evaluated with colonoscopy for the presence of colonic polyps and cancer. Three patients were found to have colonic polyps. This translates to a prevalence rate of 13%. We recommend that screening colonoscopy be carried out once every three years in all acromegalic patients over the age of 40 years.