
Though fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is preferred by many for the
screening of colorectal cancer, a higher number of precancerous and cancerous
lesions are detected using colonoscopy, according to a recent study published
in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Screening for Colorectal cancers is done to detect
two types of lesions: Cancerous lesions and polyps which might prove to be
cancerous or later turn cancerous.
The non-invasive tests for the detection of colorectal cancer include the Fecal Immunochemical testing (FIT), fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) and stool DNA testing. The more invasive screening tests include colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and barium enema.
Colonoscopy is an invasive method of detection where a long tube with a small camera at the end is inserted through the anus into the colon and the areas of colon are viewed on the screen. The procedure usually is done with the help of sedatives in order to reduce the discomfort to the patient. Areas of abnormal growth in the colon can be removed for testing during this procedure. A more clear and elaborate view of small and big cancerous growths is obtained with this procedure.
A positive outcome of fecal-immunochemical testing (FIT) usually calls for a detailed testing with colonoscopy. This is done with the aim to precisely detect the presence of colorectal cancer (if any) and the extent of its spread. A recent study compared colonoscopy with FIT in the screening of colorectal cancer amongst the average-risk population.
Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study was conducted on adults between the age group of 50-69 years who were free of any symptoms of colorectal cancer. A comparison was made between 26,703 adults screened once for colorectal cancer using colonoscopy with 26,599 adults who were screened using FIT every two years.
The incidence of colorectal cancer was found similar in both the study groups. But the researchers observed a higher rate of participation amongst the group tested using FIT. It was noted that advanced adenomas were detected in more than twice the number of patients undergoing colonoscopy than the group screened using FIT. Non-advanced lesions were found four times more commonly in the colonoscopy group compared to the FIT group.
The researchers of the study concluded that a higher participation rate was seen amongst the group undergoing FIT. Though the number of cases of colorectal cancer detected was similar in both the groups, a higher number of adenomas were found in the group undergoing colonoscopy.
In another independent study conducted in Netherlands, FIT was found to be a more cost-effective method than FOBT for the detection of colorectal cancer. But a higher haemoglobin cut-off level was recommended for patients undergoing FIT when the capacity to perform colonoscopy is limited. It was also recommended that a colonoscopy should be performed in all cases detected with adenomas.
Source: Medindia
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APA
Dr. Chhavi Kapur Motwani. (2012, March 10). Colonoscopy Versus Fecal Immunochemical Testing in Colorectal-Cancer. Medindia. Retrieved on Jul 06, 2022 from https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/colonoscopy-versus-fecal-immunochemical-testing-in-colorectal-cancer-98626-1.htm.
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MLA
Dr. Chhavi Kapur Motwani. "Colonoscopy Versus Fecal Immunochemical Testing in Colorectal-Cancer". Medindia. Jul 06, 2022. <https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/colonoscopy-versus-fecal-immunochemical-testing-in-colorectal-cancer-98626-1.htm>.
Chicago
Dr. Chhavi Kapur Motwani. "Colonoscopy Versus Fecal Immunochemical Testing in Colorectal-Cancer". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/colonoscopy-versus-fecal-immunochemical-testing-in-colorectal-cancer-98626-1.htm. (accessed Jul 06, 2022).
Harvard
Dr. Chhavi Kapur Motwani. 2021. Colonoscopy Versus Fecal Immunochemical Testing in Colorectal-Cancer. Medindia, viewed Jul 06, 2022, https://www.medindia.net/news/healthwatch/colonoscopy-versus-fecal-immunochemical-testing-in-colorectal-cancer-98626-1.htm.