Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

The authors have developed a specific, sensitive, simple and economic method for the detection of occult colorectal bleeding. The new technique consists of the traditional guaiac type reaction and an immunochemical test which as a second-phase test using dried filter paper discs serves to eliminate or reduce the false-positive reactions, decreasing the necessity of further invasive diagnostic measures. They report on their experience obtained with the screening of a rural population of 3,346 persons; a positive colour reaction was observed in 546 individuals (16.3%) who were not on diet. In the second-phase immunochemical examination, however, this number decreased to 54 (1.6%). In this group of patients, who did have blood in their stools, 5 colorectal carcinomas (9.25%), each in the early Duke stage A, could be detected. The overall detection rate of carcinoma, polyp and colitis ulcerosa, likewise a precancerous state, was 40.73%. The results obtained so far suggest that this combined screening method represents an easier, cheaper and a more rapid diagnostic method for the detection of early colorectal carcinomas and precancerous states compared to the conventional ones. In mass screening the treatment and transportation of the test specimens are simple and hygienic.