ABSTRACT
There are approximately one million new cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) per year worldwide, with substantial associated morbidity and mortality. The long natural history of colorectal neoplasia affords the opportunity to use preventive measures to improve survival in this disease. Currently screening for adenomatous polyps and early-stage cancers is the best methodology for improving survival. The increasing knowledge of CRC pathogenesis and its natural history is allowing the development of new tools to identify patients who will benefit most from colon cancer screening and the defining of appropriate surveillance intervals. The guidelines for screening for colorectal neoplasia have recently been substantially revised by several organizations based on developing technologies and a growing body of data on the efficacy of CRC screening.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adenoma , Adenomatous Polyps , Colonic Neoplasms , Colonography, Computed Tomographic , Colonoscopy , Colorectal Neoplasms , Mass Screening , Natural HistoryABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the efficacy of the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) as a colon cancer screening tool in a tertiary hospital setting. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed patients who underwent routine check-ups at Kang-Nam St. Mary's Hospital Health Promotion Center from January 2004 to April 2005. All the subjects were encouraged to submit stool for a FOBT, while performing a double contrast barium enema (DCBE) was optional for those who wanted colon examination. Colonoscopy was performed if the FOBT or DCBE results were abnormal or if the patients had bowel symptoms. RESULTS: The FOBT was performed in 8,198 of 10,182 patients (80.5%) who underwent routine check-ups. The overall positive rate of FOBT was 149 of 8,198 (1.8%) and this increased with age (p<0.05). Colonoscopy and/or DCBE was performed in 33 of 149 patients (22.1%) in the FOBT positive group. Colon cancer and polyp were diagnosed 2 (6.1%) and 7 (21.2%) patients, respectively, in the FOBT positive group, whereas colon cancer and polyp were diagnosed in 3 (0.5%) and 102 (15.7%) patients, respectively, in the FOBT negative group. The sensitivity and specificity of the FOBT for colon cancer was 40% and 95.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although it had low sensitivity, the FOBT was a useful screening tool for detecting colon cancer in a tertiary hospital setting.
Subject(s)
Humans , Barium , Colon , Colonic Neoplasms , Colonoscopy , Enema , Health Promotion , Mass Screening , Occult Blood , Polyps , Retrospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Tertiary Care CentersABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated the efficacy of the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) as a colon cancer screening tool in a tertiary hospital setting. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed patients who underwent routine check-ups at Kang-Nam St. Mary's Hospital Health Promotion Center from January 2004 to April 2005. All the subjects were encouraged to submit stool for a FOBT, while performing a double contrast barium enema (DCBE) was optional for those who wanted colon examination. Colonoscopy was performed if the FOBT or DCBE results were abnormal or if the patients had bowel symptoms. RESULTS: The FOBT was performed in 8,198 of 10,182 patients (80.5%) who underwent routine check-ups. The overall positive rate of FOBT was 149 of 8,198 (1.8%) and this increased with age (p<0.05). Colonoscopy and/or DCBE was performed in 33 of 149 patients (22.1%) in the FOBT positive group. Colon cancer and polyp were diagnosed 2 (6.1%) and 7 (21.2%) patients, respectively, in the FOBT positive group, whereas colon cancer and polyp were diagnosed in 3 (0.5%) and 102 (15.7%) patients, respectively, in the FOBT negative group. The sensitivity and specificity of the FOBT for colon cancer was 40% and 95.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although it had low sensitivity, the FOBT was a useful screening tool for detecting colon cancer in a tertiary hospital setting.