How should endoscopic surveillance be performed in patients with UC and Crohn’s disease?
- Surveillance colonoscopy should be performed in patients with UC or extensive Crohn’s disease every 1 to 2 years beginning 8 to 10 years after the clear onset of disease symptoms.
- During the colonoscopy, four-quadrant biopsy samples should be obtained every 10 cm from the cecum to the rectum (minimum of 32 biopsy samples) in these patients.
- Biopsies targeted at macroscopically involved segments may be adequate for endoscopic surveillance in patients with less extensive colitis.