Value of screening colonoscopy in the diagnosis of Egyptian patients with lower gastrointestinal symptoms

ABSTRACT

Colorectal cancer is a major cause of mortality allover the world. Fecal occult blood testing, flexible sigmoidoscopy and total colonoscopy are the most commonly recommended screening tests for colorectal cancer, yet screening rates are still below target levels. To fully realize the benefits of early detection of colorectal cancer, screening rates must be improved. The current study has been conducted to study the current pattern of colorectal lesions from endoscopic and histopathologic perspectives in relation to clinical and laboratory aspects in Egyptian patients with different lower gastrointestinal symptoms. 165 cases with different lower gastrointestinal symptoms presented to Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Specialized Medical Hospital, Mansoura University. Clinical, laboratory, colonoscopic and histopathological examination of colonoscopic samples were done during the period from October 2005 to July 2006. The main lower gastrointestinal symptoms were abdominal pain, distension, altered bowel habits, dysentery and rectal bleeding. Ulcerative colitis represented 9.1% while colorectal carcinoma represented 4.1% of cases. The commonest symptoms and laboratory findings associated with colorectal carcinoma group were constitutional symptoms, constipation, rectal bleeding, fecal occult blood and iron-deficiency anemia. The colonoscopic examination is safe, accurate and cost-effective means of the screening for colorectal carcinoma