American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the ABIM Certification Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each. Get ready to succeed!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Patients with an adenoma with a villous component should have a follow-up colonoscopy in how many years?

1 year
3 years
5 years
10 years

The correct answer is: 3 years

Patients with an adenoma that has a villous component require more vigilant follow-up due to the higher risk associated with such lesions. Villous adenomas are known to have a greater likelihood of containing malignant cells and can lead to colorectal cancer if not monitored closely. The correct interval for follow-up colonoscopy in such cases is typically within three years. This recommendation stems from studies indicating that patients with adenomas, especially those with a significant villous component, have a higher risk for advanced adenomas or colorectal cancer compared to those with tubular adenomas. Regular follow-up is essential for early detection and management of any progression towards malignancy. Monitoring at the three-year mark allows for timely intervention if any problematic developments occur, thus significantly contributing to the overall effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening strategies. This protocol emphasizes the importance of tailored surveillance based on the histological characteristics of the adenomas found during previous colonoscopies.