We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Events

09 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024 - 17 Apr 2024
23 Apr 2024 - 26 Apr 2024

Fecal Immunochemical Tests Performance Characterized for CRC

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 14 Mar 2019
Print article
Image: The Fecal Immunochemical Test has been shown to detect colorectal cancer up to two years earlier than colonoscopy alone (Photo courtesy of Pinnacle BioLabs).
Image: The Fecal Immunochemical Test has been shown to detect colorectal cancer up to two years earlier than colonoscopy alone (Photo courtesy of Pinnacle BioLabs).
Many patients experience fear and anxiety before undergoing colonoscopy, which may result in negative experiences. Some doctors believe that having fecal immunochemical test (FIT) as an option might result in more people getting screened for colon cancer.

The FIT is designed to detect the protein hemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells. People who test positive with the FIT need to get a colonoscopy to determine whether they have cancer or pre-cancerous lesions, but those who test negative only need to keep getting the FIT each year to make sure they do not develop colon cancer.

Scientists at the Indiana University School of Medicine (Indianapolis, IN, USA) and their colleagues analyzed data from 31 studies that included more than 120,000 average risk patients who had a stool test and then a colonoscopy. They determined that the fecal immunochemical test is sufficient to screen for colon cancer. Currently, 35% of people who should receive colonoscopies do not. The FIT may also be a better option for screening people under age 50, the currently recommended age for colonoscopy. Recent studies have shown that colon cancer is striking younger and younger people and in response, the American Cancer Society has suggested lowering the age for a first colonoscopy to 45.

The team included 31 studies (120,255 participants; 18 FITs) and all were judged to have low to moderate risk of bias. Performance characteristics depended on the threshold for a positive result. A threshold of 10 µg/g resulted in sensitivity of 0.91 and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.10 for colorectal cancer (CRC), whereas a threshold of greater than 20 µg/g resulted in specificity of 0.95 and a positive likelihood ratio of 15.5. For advanced adenomas, sensitivity was 0.40 and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.67 at 10 µg/g, and specificity was 0.95 and the positive likelihood ratio was 5.86 at greater than 20 µg/g. Studies had low to high heterogeneity, depending on the threshold.

Although several FITs had adequate performance, sensitivity and specificity for CRC for one qualitative FIT were 0.90 and 0.91, respectively, at its single threshold of 10 µg/g; positive and negative likelihood ratios were 10.13 and 0.11, respectively. Comparison of three FITs at 3 thresholds was inconclusive: CIs overlapped, and the comparisons were across rather than within studies. Thomas F. Imperiale, MD, a gastroenterologist and the lead author of the study, said, “This non-invasive test for colon cancer screening is available for average risk people. They should discuss with their providers whether it is appropriate for them. The one downside to the at-home stool test is that it needs to be done yearly. But if used each year, the test is good enough to catch the vast majority of cancers.” The study was published on February 26, 2019, in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

Related Links:
Indiana University School of Medicine

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
One Step HbA1c Measuring System
GREENCARE A1c
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
TORCH Panel Rapid Test
Rapid TORCH Panel Test

Print article

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The cobas Malaria test is the first FDA-approved molecular test to screen U.S. blood donors for malaria (Photo courtesy of Roche)

First FDA-Approved Molecular Test to Screen Blood Donors for Malaria Could Improve Patient Safety

Malaria, a serious illness that often leads to death, is spread by a specific mosquito species that infect humans with a parasite. Other transmission modes include blood transfusions, organ transplants,... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The medical office procedure detects the key biomarker in Parkinson’s and related neurodegenerative diseases (Photo courtesy of BIDMC)

Simple Skin Biopsy Test Detects Parkinson’s and Related Neurodegenerative Diseases

Parkinson's disease and a group of related neurodegenerative disorders known as synucleinopathies impact millions globally. These conditions, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.