KOLOSSAL

Colonoscopy is currently the most effective method for detecting polyps and colorectal cancer at an early stage. It has been part of the German colorectal cancer screening program since October 2002 and is available to insured persons aged 50 and over.

As part of quality assurance and to further optimize screening colonoscopy, the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg (DKFZ) conducted the KolosSal study from 2005-2019 in close cooperation with the Central Institute for Statutory Health Insurance Physician Care in the Federal Republic of Germany, the Saarland Health Reporting Office and the Saarland Medical Association throughout Saarland with over 19,000 participants.

Aim of the study

The aim of the KolosSal study is the scientific evaluation of colorectal cancer screening. With the help of this long-term study, important findings can be derived to further improve the early detection of colorectal cancer. In particular, the KolosSal study should help to answer the following questions:

  • To what extent is the incidence of colorectal cancer reduced by screening colonoscopy (colonoscopy)?
  • How can the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening be further improved in the future?

Study program

How did the study go?

Recruitment for the KolosSal study has been completed. Here you can find information on the process and the inclusion criteria.

  1. Information about the study was provided by a participating practice during the preliminary consultation for the screening colonoscopy or by mail.
  2. The patient(s) completed a short questionnaire after consenting to participate.
  3. The incidence of colorectal cancer up to 15 years after screening colonoscopy was determined by the Saarland Cancer Registry (no further contact with the patients).

Who could participate?

All persons could participate in this study,

  • who had a screening colonoscopy performed,
  • were resident in the Saarland,
  • were at least 55 years old* (no upper age limit) and
  • had no previous history of colorectal cancer.

*At the time of the study, screening colonoscopy was offered from the age of 55

Principal Investigators

  • Employee image

    Prof. Dr. Michael Hoffmeister

    Principal Investigator

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  • A middle-aged man with short gray hair stands smiling beside a white railing in a modern, well-lit environment. He wears a navy sweater over a white shirt, conveying a friendly and approachable demeanor. Green plants are visible in the background, adding warmth to the scene.

    Prof. Dr. Hermann Brenner

    Co-Principal Investigator

Cooperation partners

Central Institute for Statutory Health Insurance Physicians
in the Federal Republic of Germany
Salzufer 8
10587 Berlin

Saarland Cancer Registry
PD Dr. Bernd Holleczek
Neugeländestraße 9
66117 Saarbrücken

Association of Endoscopists in Saarland
Kreppstraße 5
66333 Völklingen

Numerous gastroenterology practices in Saarland

Publications

2021 - Int J Cancer 2021; 148(8): 1973-1981

Effects of screening for colorectal cancer: Development, documentation and validation of a multistate Markov model

Heisser T, Hoffmeister M, Brenner H

2020 - Gastroenterology 2020; 159(6): 2235-2237

Low Risk of Advanced Neoplasms for up to 20 Years After Negative Colonoscopy Result: Potential for Personalized Follow-up Screening Intervals

Heisser T, Guo F, Niedermaier T, Holleczek B, Hoffmeister M, Brenner H

2020 - Int J Cancer 2020;144:402-410

Utilization and determinants of follow-up colonoscopies within 6 years after screening colonoscopy: prospective cohort study

Hoffmeister M, Holleczek B, Stock C, Zwink N, Stolz T, Stegmaier C, Brenner H

2019 - Int J Cancer 2019; 144: 2135-2143

Strong associations of a healthy lifestyle with all stages of colorectal carcinogenesis: Results from a large cohort of participants of screening colonoscopy

Erben V, Carr PR, Holleczek B, Stegmaier C, Hoffmeister M, Brenner H

2018 - Prev Med 2018; 111: 101-9

Dietary patterns and risk of advanced colorectal neoplasms: A large population based screening study in Germany

Erben V, Carr PR, Holeczek B, Stegmaier C, Hoffmeister M, Brenner H

2017 - Dtsch Arztebl Int 2017; 114(18): 321-327

Complication Rates in Colonoscopy Screening for Cancer

Zwink N, Holleczek B, Stegmaier C, Hoffmeister M, Brenner H

2017 - Am J Clin Nutr 2017; 105(6): 1453-1461

Meat intake and risk of colorectal polyps: results from a large population-based screening study in Germany

Carr PR, Holleczek B, Stegmaier C, Brenner H, Hoffmeister M

2014 - Clin Gastroenterol Hep 2014; 12(3): 478-85

Development and validation of a scoring system to identify individuals at high risk for advanced colorectal neoplasms who should undergo colonoscopy screening

Tao S, Hoffmeister M, Brenner H

2010 - Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2010; 8(10): 870-6

Male sex and smoking have a larger impact on the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia than family history of colorectal cancer

Hoffmeister M, Schmitz S, Karmrodt E, Stegmaier C, Haug U, Arndt V

2010 - Gastroenterology 2010; 138(3): 870-6

Low risk of colorectal cancer and advanced adenomas more than 10 years after negative colonoscopy

Brenner H, Haug U, Arndt V, Stegmaier C, Altenhofen L, Hoffmeister M

2010 - J Natl Cancer Inst 2010; 102(2): 89-95

Protection from right- and left-sided colorectal neoplasms after colonoscopy: population-based study

Brenner H, Hoffmeister M, Arndt V, Stegmaier C, Altenhofen L, Haug U

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