Identification of patients at increased risk for colorectal cancer in an open access endoscopy center.

Goals: To determine whether patients referred for open access endoscopy (OAE) are being appropriately identified as "increased risk" or "average risk" for colorectal cancer (CRC) by referring physicians.

Background: OAE allows nongastroenterologists to schedule elective endoscopies without prior consultation with a gastroenterologist. It is unknown how accurately referring physicians identify CRC risk of such patients.

p53 mutations are associated with dysplasia and progression of dysplasia in patients with Crohn's disease.

Background: Mutations in the tumor suppressor gene p53 are associated with neoplasia in ulcerative colitis, but little is understood of their significance in Crohn's disease (CD).

Purpose: To explore p53 expression as a marker of neoplasia in CD patients.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of CD patients who underwent p53 IHC staining in our center between 1995 and 2003.