Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the malignant tumor with the highest incidence in Spain among men and women, with 41,441 new cases each year affecting 1 in 20 men and 1 in 30 women before 74 years. In Spain, 5-year survival is 64%, currently above the average for European countries that is 57%.
CRC refers to malignant tumors of the colon and rectum. In 90% of cases they develop over the years from an overgrowth of tissue in the wall of the large intestine, called adenomatous polyp. Polyps are common in patients starting at age 50. The main risk factor is age, followed by overweight, smoking, physical inactivity and excessive consumption of alcohol and processed foods. Polyps and early-stage CRCs are usually asymptomatic or have symptoms that can be easily confused with other mild ailments (change in depositional rhythm, stomach ailments), thats why only in 39% of cases are detected early.
Early detection programs based on colonoscopy or follow-up colonoscopies are being implemented in many countries in the event of a positive primary test result (usually fecal occult blood test). By detecting and resecting the adenomatous polyps, CRC can be prevented in 90% of cases.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is the most effective method and the only one able to remove polyps in the entire colon. However 8% of CCRs are diagnosed after a negative colonoscopy (called postcolonoscopy CCR or PSCCR). Most PSCRCs can be explained by polyp misdetection. In fact, 22% of polyps are not detected due to visual limitations of the optical colonoscope camera, generally having a field of view narrower than 170º; flat, ulcerated or subtle lesions; improper colon preparation; experience of the endoscopist, more experienced endoscopists have higher detection rates.
Other reasons for PSCRCs are inadequate examination or surveillance and incomplete removal of the polyp.
Moreover there is no objective criteria to differentiate benign and malignant polyps leading to important inefficiencies. 23% of colonoscopies are repeated and all the polyps must be biopsed and analyzed which overloads pathology service and increases patient risk.
MiWEndo is a low-cost and safe (non-ionizing) electromagnetic device designed to be attached at the tip of a conventional colonoscope. MiWEndo automatizes polyp detection emitting an alarm when a polyp is sensed, increases the field of view to 360º and provides quantitative differentiation between malignant and benign polyps without changing the current clinical practice.
