American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What is the recommended time frame for a follow-up colonoscopy in patients with one to two tubular adenomas smaller than 10 mm?

1. 3 years

2. 5 years

3. 7 years

4. 10 years

The correct answer is: 5 years

The recommended time frame for a follow-up colonoscopy in patients with one to two tubular adenomas smaller than 10 mm is indeed five years. This recommendation comes from established guidelines that suggest that individuals with this specific adenomatous polyp profile are at a relatively low risk for advanced neoplasia. The five-year interval is considered appropriate because it balances the need for cancer surveillance with the understanding that this group is not at an extremely high risk for aggressive progression of disease compared to other polyp types or larger adenomas. Following this timeframe allows for monitoring while avoiding excessive and unnecessary procedures, which could lead to increased healthcare costs and potential patient discomfort. After the five-year follow-up colonoscopy, further recommendations would depend on the findings during that examination and any additional risk factors the patient may have.