Is preoperative colonoscopy in all gynecologic cancer patients necessary?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the necessity of preoperative colonoscopy in gynecologic cancer patients. Material and Methods: Retrospectively, patients diagnosed with gynecologic can- cers and undergoing preoperative colonoscopy between January 2013 and April 2020 in Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University were included in the study, and their in- formation was recorded. Results: A total of 186 patients with gynecologic cancers were included in the study. Of these, 64 (35%) were less than 50 years of age, and 122 (65%) were 50 years or older. The mean age was 58.83±14.20 years (min: 31, max: 85). In the study, 96 (51.6%) of the patients had endometrial cancer, 54 (29%) had ovarian cancer, 34 (18.3%) had uterine-cervix cancer, and 2 (1.1%) patients had vulvar cancer. Extrinsic compression in 18 (9.7%), colonic polyps in 16 (8.6%), primary colorectal cancer in 4 (2.2%), and metastases to the rectum or sigmoid colon in 2 (1.1%) of patients were detected. Conclusion: Colonoscopy permits more excellent detection of colorectal lesions and may give surgeons some vital information about the spreading of gynecologic cancer, which may, in turn, alter the treatment modality.