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Effectiveness of the Immunofecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Large Population

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Abstract

Background

Guaiac tests are the most widely used tests to detect colorectal cancer (CRC). However, their sensitivity is relatively low and results may be affected by various factors. Immunofecal occult blood test (IFOBT) is specific for human hemoglobin and does not require dietary restrictions.

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of IFOBT for the screening of precancerous lesions and CRC.

Methods

From July 2006 to June 2007, IFOBT was performed on 5,919 adults who received periodic health examinations in our hospital. The positive cases were examined by colonoscopy and a double-contrast barium enema. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological analysis.

Results

Positive IFOBT was detected in 314 of 5,919 cases (5.30%). Further examinations were made in 264 IFOBT-positive cases. Of these, 116 cases with colorectal cancer (16 cases) or precancerous lesions (94 cases with colorectal adenomatous polyps and 6 cases with active ulcerative colitis) were detected. The total detection rate of CRC and precancerous lesions was 43.94% (116/264). TNM classification of 16 CRC cases was as follows: TNM I in eight cases (50.00%), TNM II in seven cases (43.75%) and TNM III in one case (6.25%), indicating IFOBT can detect CRC in the early stages.

Conclusion

Regular IFOBT can detect precancerous lesions and CRC in early stages and can thus reduce mortality from CRC.

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Financial support

Supported by a grant from the Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (No. Y0205 to Zhi-Zheng Ge).

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200001, China

    Haiyun Yang, Zhizheng Ge, Jun Dai, Xiaobo Li & Yunjie Gao

Authors
  1. Haiyun Yang
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  2. Zhizheng Ge
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  3. Jun Dai
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  4. Xiaobo Li
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  5. Yunjie Gao
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhizheng Ge.

Additional information

Dr. Zhi-Zheng Ge is accepting full responsibility for the conduct of the study.

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Yang, H., Ge, Z., Dai, J. et al. Effectiveness of the Immunofecal Occult Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Large Population. Dig Dis Sci 56, 203–207 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-010-1264-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-010-1264-8

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