Biotech Values

[DewDiligence]

Update on ‘no-prep’ virtual colonoscopy: The use of digital-subtraction
software with a contrast agent during a virtual colonoscopy to eliminate
the need for bowel cleansing is a topic that was first discussed on this
board about 8 years ago and has been broached at various times since
(e.g. msg-2671494, #msg-2852044, #msg-8848802, and #msg-7104257).
After all this time, the procedure is apparently still not in widespread
commercial use, but perhaps it will be in due course.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/05/14/us-colon-cancer-test-idINBRE84D19I20120514

People getting checked for signs of colon cancer may not need to take a laxative if they choose a CT scan for their cancer screening over a tradition colonoscopy, according to a new study.

…"The results of this study open the door to a more patient-friendly screening," said Dr. Michael Zalis, the study's lead author and director of CT colonography in the department of imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

…Zalis and his colleagues wanted to test whether or not a CT colonography remained accurate even when the patient did not use a laxative. Instead, people were told to reduce their fiber intake and periodically drink liquids with an added substance that tags the feces in a person's colon. After the images are taken, a computer program [electronically] removes the feces from the picture…

Between June 2005 and October 2010, Zalis and his fellow researchers recruited 605 people -- all between 50 to 85 years old and at average risk of colon cancer -- for their study. Each person underwent a laxative-free CT colonography and then a traditional colonoscopy about five weeks later.

Overall, the laxative-free [CT scan] method identified 91 percent of polyps one centimeter or larger, compared to 95 percent with traditional colonoscopy. The difference between the two, according to the researchers, could have been due to chance.

That wasn't the case for smaller polyps, however. The researchers found that a traditional colonoscopy was better at identifying polyps under a centimeter in size…

However, the smaller the polyp, the more time on average until it becomes cancerous, which increases the cumulative sensitivity of a series of tests.