PMID: 6537553Dec 1, 1984Paper

Screening for colo-rectal neoplasms by the study of fecal occult blood

Quaderni Sclavo di diagnostica clinica e di laboratorio
G CastiglioneG Maltoni

Abstract

Occult blood testing has been proposed as a screening tool for colorectal cancer. At the present time guaiac testing is considered the most suitable for mass screening. The specificity of the test is affected by diet. For this reason it is necessary to adhere to a meat-free diet while the necessity of eliminating peroxidase containing foods as uncooked vegetables and fruit is controversial. The sensitivity of guaiac test is affected by the intermittence of colorectal cancer bleeding, by the quantity of ascorbic acid and fibers in the diet and by the development modality of the test. The experience of the authors is based on a screening protocol applied on some populations in the province of Florence (Italy). The protocol is based on guaiac test and an anamnestic selection of high-risk patients. 6029 patients have performed guaiac test. In 1159 patients, the results of occult blood testing and sigmoidoscopy have been compared. This analysis accounts for a predictive value of 50%, a specificity of 95.6%, and a sensitivity of 68% for carcinomas and 21.3% for adenomas. In conclusion, guaiac testing seems to warrant a good cost/benefit ratio but because its sensitivity is too low, it is necessary to include other selective tools (th...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.