Age threshold for endoscopy and risk of missing upper gastrointestinal malignancy – data from the Scottish audit of gastric and oesophageal cancer

Abstract

SUMMARY BackgroundUrgent endoscopy is indicated for suspected upper gastrointestinal malignancy. However, there is limited evidence on the age threshold for performing urgent endoscopy in uncomplicated dyspepsia (that is, without alarm features).

Quality control in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: detection rates of gastric cancer in Oxford 2005–2008

“…There is no evidence that GC is characterised by uncomplicated dyspepsia 18. Two audits from the UK suggest that the large majority of patients (>92%) with upper gastrointestinal malignancy who present with uncomplicated dyspepsia have inoperable disease 19 20. Consequently uncomplicated dyspepsia is not so much an ‘early sign’ of GC, but a symptom in a minority of patients with GC.…”