Aspirin to Prevent Colorectal Adenomas

Recent findings suggest that aspirin interferes with colorectal neoplasia, but it has not been shown to reduce colorectal cancer mortality.

Because basic science studies have shown that aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have antineoplastic properties, researchers have conducted clinical trials to examine whether aspirin prevents colorectal adenomas. A meta-analysis of four randomized trials in which aspirin (dose range, 81–325 mg daily) was compared with placebo in patients with recently resected colorectal adenomas or cancer (patients with familial polyposis were excluded) showed that aspirin recipients had significantly lower risk for recurrent adenomas than did placebo recipients (risk ratio, 0.83); colonoscopies were performed after a median follow-up of 33 months.

One trial that was included in the above meta-analysis was the AFPPS study from 2003 (JW M…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose