Risk of Metachronous Neoplasia with High-Risk Adenoma and Synchronous Sessile Serrated Adenoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Sessile serrated adenomas are important precursors to colorectal cancers and account for 30% of colorectal cancers. The United States Multi-Society Task Force recommends that patients with sessile serrated adenomas undergo surveillance similar to tubular adenomas. However, the risk of metachronous neoplasia when the high-risk adenoma co-exists with sessile serrated adenomas is poorly defined. Objective: To examine the risk of metachronous neoplasia in the presence of high-risk adenoma and synchronous sessile serrated adenomas compared with isolated high-risk adenoma. Data sources: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library. Study selection: A literature search for studies evaluating the risk of metachronous neoplasia in patients with high-risk adenoma alone and those with synchronous high-risk adenoma and sessile serrated adenomas during surveillance colonoscopy was conducted on online databases. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome of interest was the presence of metachronous neoplasia. Results: Of the 1164 records reviewed, six (four retrospective and two prospective) studies met inclusion criteria with 2490 patients (1607 males, mean age 59.98 ± 3.23 years). Average follow-up was 47.5 ± 12.5 months. There were 2068 patients with high-risk adenoma on index colonoscopy and 422 patients with high-risk adenoma and synchronous sessile serrated adenomas. Pooled estimates showed a significantly elevated risk for metachronous neoplasia in patients with high-risk adenoma and synchronous sessile serrated adenomas (pooled odds ratio 2.21; 95% confidence intervals 1.65–2.96; p < 0.01). There was low heterogeneity (I² = 11%) among the studies. Sensitivity analysis of the prospective studies alone also showed elevated risk of metachronous neoplasm (pooled odds ratio 2.56; 95%, confidence intervals 1.05–6.23; p = 0.04). Limitations: Inclusion of a small number of retrospective studies. Conclusions: The presence of high-risk adenomas and synchronous sessile serrated adenomas is associated with an increased risk of metachronous neoplasia. Therefore, shorter surveillance intervals may be considered in patients with high-risk adenoma and synchronous sessile serrated adenomas compared to those with high-risk adenoma alone.