[Colonoscopy in the screening, follow-up and treatment of colorectal cancer and precursor lesions].

Endoscopic polypectomy reduces the incidence of colorectal cancer and mortality due to this disease. Interval cancer is the marker par excellence of the effectiveness and quality of screening and surveillance programs. Interval cancer is defined as colorectal cancer appearing after a negative screening or surveillance test (whether colonoscopy or another type of test) for colorectal cancer and before the recommended date of the following screening test. It has been estimated that up to 75% of interval colorectal cancers may be due to poor endoscopic technique. Therefore, to reduce mortality from this disease, diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy must be carried out with high quality standards. In the latest congress of the American Gastroenterological Association, presentations were given on studies designed to analyse interval cancer and its possible causes, as well as to evaluate endoscopic techniques that could improve detection of polyps or optimize their complete resection. Likewise, strategies have begun to be evaluated that would allow rationalization of efforts and resources to achieve screening of the maximum number of individuals, with high quality standards, but without completely overloading the healthcare system. Finally, the congress also devoted substantial space to presentations on the management of post-polypectomy complications and large polyps.