Performance of CT Colonography for Detecting Small Diminutive and Flat Polyps
Abstract
The main goal of colorectal screening is to reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is a deadly but preventable disease, which remains a major public health issue largely because of the low rates of effective screening. The recently revised screening guidelines that were created by the American Cancer Society in conjunction with the major gastroenterology and radiology societies strongly emphasize the value of CRC prevention and detection rather than CRC detection alone. In particular, tests that can provide full structural evaluation of the large intestine, such as optical colonoscopy (OC) and computerized tomography colonography (CTC), are likely to be favored in the future. CTC should not be viewed as a replacement for OC but as an additional effective parallel screening option that has the potential to substantially increase adherence rates, assuming that the test is eventually widely reimbursed by third-party payers. CTC has several potential advantages relative to OC as a screening test, as well as some disadvantages. The primary advantages include that it is generally safer, more convenient, more cost-effective, provides a limited assessment of extracolonic organs, and is equally effective as OC for detecting large colorectal polyps and cancers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA521310
Entities
People
- David H. Kim
- Perry J. Pickhardt
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences