Colorectal cancer screening: Difference between revisions

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==Screening procedures==
==Screening==


Colorectal cancer can take many years to develop and early detection of colorectal cancer greatly improves the chances of a cure.  The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening all patients aged 50-75 for colorectal cancer.<ref>Screening for Colorectal Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:627-637.</ref> The modalities recommended are:
Colorectal cancer can take many years to develop and early detection of colorectal cancer greatly improves the chances of a cure.  The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening all patients aged 50-75 for colorectal cancer.<ref>Screening for Colorectal Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:627-637.</ref>  
* [[Fecal occult blood]] test (FOBT): a test for blood in the stool.  Two types of tests can be used for detecting occult blood in stools i.e. guaiac based (chemical test) and immunochemical.  The sensitivity of immunochemical testing is superior to that of chemical testing without an unacceptable reduction in specifity. <ref>Weitzel JN: Genetic cancer risk assessment. Putting it all together. Cancer 86:2483,1999. PMID 10630174</ref>
* [[Endoscopy]]:
** [[Sigmoidoscopy]]: A lighted probe (sigmoidoscope) is inserted into the rectum and lower colon to check for polyps and other abnormalities.
** [[Colonoscopy]]: A lighted probe called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and the entire colon to look for [[polyp (medicine)|polyp]]s and other abnormalities that may be caused by cancer.  A colonoscopy has the advantage that if [[polyp (medicine)|polyp]]s are found during the procedure they can be immediately removed.  Tissue can also be taken for [[biopsy]].


The American College of Gastroenterology<ref>Rex DK, Johnson DA, Anderson JC, et al. American College of Gastroenterology guidelines for colorectal cancer screening 2009.Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Mar;104(3):739-50.</ref> releases guidelines as well.  They add a few additional considerations:
The American College of Gastroenterology recommends:<ref>Rex DK, Johnson DA, Anderson JC, et al. American College of Gastroenterology guidelines for colorectal cancer screening 2009.Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Mar;104(3):739-50.</ref>  
* Screening is recommended in African Americans beginning at age 45 years.
* Screening in African Americans should begin at age 45 years.
* [[CT colonography]] every 5 years is the radiographic screening alternative, when patients decline colonoscopy.
* CT colonography every 5 years is the radiographic screening alternative, when patients decline colonoscopy.
* Fecal immunochemical test for blood (FIT) is preferred over guaiac-based fecal occult blood testing.  
* Fecal immunochemical test for blood (FIT) is preferred over guaiac-based fecal occult blood testing.  


[[Image:Colorectal cancer endo 2.jpg|left|thumb|200px|[[Colonoscopy|Endoscopic]] image of '''colon cancer''' identified in sigmoid [[Colon (anatomy)|colon]] on screening [[colonoscopy]] in the setting of [[Crohn's disease]].]]
The recommended modalities are discussed below.
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===Other screening techniques===
===Fecal Occult Blood Testing===
[[Fecal occult blood]] test (FOBT): a test for blood in the stool.  Two types of tests can be used for detecting occult blood in stools i.e. guaiac based (chemical test) and immunochemical.  The sensitivity of immunochemical testing is superior to that of chemical testing without an unacceptable reduction in specifity. <ref>Weitzel JN: Genetic cancer risk assessment. Putting it all together. Cancer 86:2483,1999. PMID 10630174</ref>
 
===Endoscopy===
[[Sigmoidoscopy]]: A lighted probe (sigmoidoscope) is inserted into the rectum and lower colon to check for polyps and other abnormalities.
 
[[Colonoscopy]]: A lighted probe called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and the entire colon to look for [[polyp (medicine)|polyp]]s and other abnormalities that may be caused by cancer.  A colonoscopy has the advantage that if [[polyp (medicine)|polyp]]s are found during the procedure they can be immediately removed.  Tissue can also be taken for [[biopsy]]. The [http://www.asge.org/ American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy] has released quality indicators for screening colonoscopy, which include:<ref name="pmid16635231">{{cite journal| author=Rex DK, Petrini JL, Baron TH, Chak A, Cohen J, Deal SE et al.| title=Quality indicators for colonoscopy. | journal=Am J Gastroenterol | year= 2006 | volume= 101 | issue= 4 | pages= 873-85 | pmid=16635231 | doi=10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00673.x | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=16635231  }} </ref>
* Documentation of prep quality
* Photo documentation of cecal intubation
* Withdrawal time of 6 minutes or more
* Adenoma detection rate of greater than 25% in males and 15% in females greater than 50 years old.
 
[[Image:Colorectal cancer endo 2.jpg|200px]]
 
===Other Screening Techniques===
* Double contrast barium enema (DCBE): First, an overnight preparation is taken to cleanse the colon.  An [[enema]] containing [[barium sulfate]] is administered, then air is insufflated into the colon, distending it.  The result is a thin layer of barium over the inner lining of the colon which is visible on X-ray films.  A cancer or a precancerous polyp can be detected this way.  This technique can miss the (less common) flat polyp.
* Double contrast barium enema (DCBE): First, an overnight preparation is taken to cleanse the colon.  An [[enema]] containing [[barium sulfate]] is administered, then air is insufflated into the colon, distending it.  The result is a thin layer of barium over the inner lining of the colon which is visible on X-ray films.  A cancer or a precancerous polyp can be detected this way.  This technique can miss the (less common) flat polyp.
* [[Virtual colonoscopy]] replaces X-ray films in the double contrast barium enema (above) with a special [[computed tomography]] scan and requires special workstation software in order for the [[radiologist]] to interpret.  This technique is approaching [[colonoscopy]] in sensitivity for polyps. However, any polyps found must still be removed by standard colonoscopy.
* [[Virtual colonoscopy]] replaces X-ray films in the double contrast barium enema (above) with a special [[computed tomography]] scan and requires special workstation software in order for the [[radiologist]] to interpret.  This technique is approaching [[colonoscopy]] in sensitivity for polyps. However, any polyps found must still be removed by standard colonoscopy.
* Standard [[computed axial tomography]] is an x-ray method that can be used to determine the degree of spread of cancer, but is not sensitive enough to use for screening. Some cancers are found in CAT scans performed for other reasons.
* [[Blood tests]]: Measurement of the patient's blood for elevated levels of certain [[proteins]] can give an indication of tumor load.  In particular, high levels of [[carcinoembryonic antigen]] (CEA) in the blood can indicate [[metastasis]] of [[adenocarcinoma]].  These tests are frequently [[Type I and type II errors|false positive]] or [[Type I and type II errors|false negative]], and are not recommended for screening, it can be useful to assess disease recurrence.
* [[Blood tests]]: Measurement of the patient's blood for elevated levels of certain [[proteins]] can give an indication of tumor load.  In particular, high levels of [[carcinoembryonic antigen]] (CEA) in the blood can indicate [[metastasis]] of [[adenocarcinoma]].  These tests are frequently [[Type I and type II errors|false positive]] or [[Type I and type II errors|false negative]], and are not recommended for screening, it can be useful to assess disease recurrence.
* [[Genetic counseling]] and [[genetic testing]] for families who may have a hereditary form of colon cancer, such as [[hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer]] (HNPCC) or [[familial adenomatous polyposis]] (FAP).
* Stool DNA testing detects DNA shed into the stool from the cells of pre-malignant adenomas and cancers. The DNA is not degraded during the digestive process and remain stable in the stool. Capture, followed by [[Polymerase Chain Reaction]] amplifies the DNA to detectable levels for assay.  Clinical studies have shown a cancer detection sensitivity of 71%-91%<ref> {{cite web | author=B. Greenwald |year=2006 | title=The DNA Stool Test - An Emerging Technology in Colorectal Cancer Screening|url=http://http://www.touchalimentarydisease.com/articles.cfm?article_id=6375&level=2}}</ref>, and may be more sensitive than fecal immunochemical testing.<ref name="pmid24645800">{{cite journal| author=Imperiale TF, Ransohoff DF, Itzkowitz SH, Levin TR, Lavin P, Lidgard GP et al.| title=Multitarget stool DNA testing for colorectal-cancer screening. | journal=N Engl J Med | year= 2014 | volume= 370 | issue= 14 | pages= 1287-97 | pmid=24645800 | doi=10.1056/NEJMoa1311194 | pmc= | url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=24645800  }} </ref>
* [[Positron emission tomography]] (PET) is a 3-dimensional scanning technology where a radioactive sugar is injected into the patient, the sugar collects in tissues with high metabolic activity, and an image is formed by measuring the emission of radiation from the sugar.  Because cancer cells often have very high metabolic rate, this can be used to differentiate benign and malignant tumors.  PET is not used for screening and does not (yet) have a place in routine workup of colorectal cancer cases.
 
* Whole-Body PET imaging is the most accurate diagnostic test for detection of recurrent colorectal cancer, and is a cost-effective way to differentiate resectable from non-resectable disease. A PET scan is indicated whenever a major management decision depends upon accurate evaluation of tumour presence and extent.
===Genetic counseling===
* Stool DNA testing is an emerging technology in screening for colorectal cancer.  Pre-malignant adenomas and cancers shed DNA markers from their cells which are not degraded during the digestive process and remain stable in the stool. Capture, followed by [[Polymerase Chain Reaction]] amplifies the DNA to detectable levels for assay.  Clinical studies have shown a cancer detection sensitivity of 71%-91%.<ref> {{cite web | author=B. Greenwald |year=2006 | title=The DNA Stool Test - An Emerging Technology in Colorectal Cancer Screening|url=http://http://www.touchalimentarydisease.com/articles.cfm?article_id=6375&level=2}}</ref>
* [[Genetic counseling]] and [[genetic testing]] is a screening modality for families who may have a hereditary form of colon cancer, such as [[hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer]] (HNPCC) or [[familial adenomatous polyposis]] (FAP).


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 14:47, 13 October 2014

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Editor(s)-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Elliot B. Tapper, M.D., Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Michael Maddaleni, B.S.

Overview

In recent memory, there have been improvements made in the screening process for colon cancer. Knowing a few of the most important facts can greatly help in reducing the risk of developing colon cancer.

  1. Research has shown that a colonoscopy detects colon cancer in 98-99% of the cases.[1]
  2. Current guidelines suggest that a colonoscopy is the best screening tool for colon cancer.
  3. A colonoscopy every 10 years reduces the risk of left sided colon cancer but not as much for right sided colon cancer.
    1. Right sided colon cancers are more likely to be missed.
      1. Right sided is harder to reach
      2. Right sided could be flat, which means they would be harder to detect.
  1. Flat growths (non-polypoid)[1]
    1. More difficult to detect.
    2. More likely to progress to colon cancer than cylindrical polyps.
    3. Spray on dyes may better help to detect them.

Screening

Colorectal cancer can take many years to develop and early detection of colorectal cancer greatly improves the chances of a cure. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening all patients aged 50-75 for colorectal cancer.[2]

The American College of Gastroenterology recommends:[3]

  • Screening in African Americans should begin at age 45 years.
  • CT colonography every 5 years is the radiographic screening alternative, when patients decline colonoscopy.
  • Fecal immunochemical test for blood (FIT) is preferred over guaiac-based fecal occult blood testing.

The recommended modalities are discussed below.

Fecal Occult Blood Testing

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT): a test for blood in the stool. Two types of tests can be used for detecting occult blood in stools i.e. guaiac based (chemical test) and immunochemical. The sensitivity of immunochemical testing is superior to that of chemical testing without an unacceptable reduction in specifity. [4]

Endoscopy

Sigmoidoscopy: A lighted probe (sigmoidoscope) is inserted into the rectum and lower colon to check for polyps and other abnormalities.

Colonoscopy: A lighted probe called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and the entire colon to look for polyps and other abnormalities that may be caused by cancer. A colonoscopy has the advantage that if polyps are found during the procedure they can be immediately removed. Tissue can also be taken for biopsy. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has released quality indicators for screening colonoscopy, which include:[5]

  • Documentation of prep quality
  • Photo documentation of cecal intubation
  • Withdrawal time of 6 minutes or more
  • Adenoma detection rate of greater than 25% in males and 15% in females greater than 50 years old.

Other Screening Techniques

  • Double contrast barium enema (DCBE): First, an overnight preparation is taken to cleanse the colon. An enema containing barium sulfate is administered, then air is insufflated into the colon, distending it. The result is a thin layer of barium over the inner lining of the colon which is visible on X-ray films. A cancer or a precancerous polyp can be detected this way. This technique can miss the (less common) flat polyp.
  • Virtual colonoscopy replaces X-ray films in the double contrast barium enema (above) with a special computed tomography scan and requires special workstation software in order for the radiologist to interpret. This technique is approaching colonoscopy in sensitivity for polyps. However, any polyps found must still be removed by standard colonoscopy.
  • Blood tests: Measurement of the patient's blood for elevated levels of certain proteins can give an indication of tumor load. In particular, high levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the blood can indicate metastasis of adenocarcinoma. These tests are frequently false positive or false negative, and are not recommended for screening, it can be useful to assess disease recurrence.
  • Stool DNA testing detects DNA shed into the stool from the cells of pre-malignant adenomas and cancers. The DNA is not degraded during the digestive process and remain stable in the stool. Capture, followed by Polymerase Chain Reaction amplifies the DNA to detectable levels for assay. Clinical studies have shown a cancer detection sensitivity of 71%-91%[6], and may be more sensitive than fecal immunochemical testing.[7]

Genetic counseling

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 American Society of Clinical Oncology. 2010. Progress in Cancer Screening. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/
  2. Screening for Colorectal Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:627-637.
  3. Rex DK, Johnson DA, Anderson JC, et al. American College of Gastroenterology guidelines for colorectal cancer screening 2009.Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Mar;104(3):739-50.
  4. Weitzel JN: Genetic cancer risk assessment. Putting it all together. Cancer 86:2483,1999. PMID 10630174
  5. Rex DK, Petrini JL, Baron TH, Chak A, Cohen J, Deal SE; et al. (2006). "Quality indicators for colonoscopy". Am J Gastroenterol. 101 (4): 873–85. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00673.x. PMID 16635231.
  6. B. Greenwald (2006). "The DNA Stool Test - An Emerging Technology in Colorectal Cancer Screening".
  7. Imperiale TF, Ransohoff DF, Itzkowitz SH, Levin TR, Lavin P, Lidgard GP; et al. (2014). "Multitarget stool DNA testing for colorectal-cancer screening". N Engl J Med. 370 (14): 1287–97. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1311194. PMID 24645800.


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