Stool DNA Testing For Colorectal Cancer Has Potential, But Challenges Remain Oct 8, 2008
The guidelines add two new tests to the list of recommended options: stool DNA (sDNA) and CT colonography (CTC), also known as virtual. (Sep. (Science Daily)
Virtual colonoscopy a less invasive cancer screener Oct 8, 2008
Also called CT colonography, it's an X-ray test that looks for cancer and precancerous polyps, precancerous growths, in the colon (large bowel). Patients lie on their backs and sides on a gurney, which moves through a CT machine. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Advisers limit push on colon screenings Oct 7, 2008
The US Preventive Services Task Force decided not to support the newest tests: CT colonography, an X-ray test known as virtual colonoscopy, and a stool DNA test for that age group. The panel said more research is needed. (Boston Globe)
Task Force Finds Several Methods Equally Effective for Colorectal Cancer Screening Oct 7, 2008
Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a change from its previous recommendation, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends that adults age 50 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer using annual high-sensitivity fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy every five years with fecal occult testing between sigmoidoscopic exams, or colonoscopy every 10 years. According to the Task Force, good evidence exists that using these methods save lives. (PR Newswire)
Colon cancer tests can stop at 75, officials say Oct 7, 2008
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in a break with other medical and cancer organizations opted not to give its stamp of approval to the newest tests: CT colonography, an X-ray test known as virtual colonoscopy, and a stool DNA test ... The task force's stance on CT colonography and the stool DNA test is contrary to recent recommendations from the American Cancer Society, as well as radiology and gastroenterology groups that say the newer tests are effective and could encourage... (MSNBC -- Health)
Breakthrough Optical Technology To Assess Colon Cancer Risk, Accuracy Oct 4, 2008
3, 2008) Researchers at NorthShore University HealthSystem (NorthShore) and Northwestern University have discovered that fiber optic technology can for the very first time effectively measure blood levels in the colonic lining (mucosa) in humans, thus having potential applications for analyzing risk of colon cancer. The study used fiber optic technology to map microvascular blood content in patients during colonoscopy. (Science Daily)
Chesco firm opens first colon center Sep 25, 2008
which opened earlier this month, combines a newer non-invasive technology in the form of CT colonography, also known as a virtual colonoscopy, with traditional colonoscopy procedures. Baumel said patients at risk for colon cancer, which includes everyone over the age of 50, can be screened non-invasively without the need for sedation or anesthesia using CT colonography ... CT colonography can only be used as a diagnostic tool. (Philadelphia Business Journal, PA)
Colon X-ray seen as effective at spotting cancer Sep 24, 2008
The study focused on CT colonography, also known as virtual colonoscopy ... "These concerns do not rule out CT colonography as a screening test but they need to be considered," Fletcher wrote. (Montana Standard, MT)
Virtual Colonoscopy As Good As Other Colon Cancer Screening Methods, Study Finds Sep 23, 2008
23, 2008) CT colonography (CTC), known as virtual colonoscopy, is as accurate at screening for colorectal cancers and pre-cancerous polyps as conventional colonoscopy, the current screening standard, according to the National CT Colonography Trial, a nationwide multi-center study that included the San Francisco VA Medical Center ... The hope is that these results will encourage more health care payers to cover screening CT colonography ... She has also trained hundreds of radiologists from... (Science Daily)
New Colorectal Screening Procedure Is Accurate And Less Invasive, Trial Finds Sep 22, 2008
The results of the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) National CT Colonography Trial are published in this week's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The goal of the trial was to assess the accuracy of CT colonography, also known as virtual colonoscopy, using conventional colonoscopy as the gold standard ... I think this is going to be a definitive study when it comes to establishing that CT colonography has a place in the armamentarium of modalities for colorectal... (Science Daily)
Traditional or Virtual Colonoscopy? Sep 21, 2008
"Up to now, there has been conflicting data on how good this test would be;. This is the largest study to date on CT colonography. The performance data shows the sensitivity is very similar to hat quoted for colonoscopy.". Johnson and his team have found that CT colonography could detect 78 percent of the polyps that were as small as 6 millimeters in diameter, but caught only 65 percent of the polyps that were 5 millimeters or smaller ... "Nobody ever said the prep was easy, and it is just the... (HealthNews)
Virtual Colonoscopy Is Better And Not Necessarily Less Accurate Sep 19, 2008
By Irene Collins 00:34, September 19th 2008. A study on Virtual colonoscopy was published in Wednesdays issue of New England Journal of Medicine. (eFluxMedia)
How Often To Screen For Colon Cancer? Study Finds 5-year Risk Extremely Low Sep 19, 2008
How Often To Screen For Colon Cancer. Study Finds 5-year Risk Extremely Low. (Science Daily)
Virtual Colonoscopy Effective for Average Risk People Sep 19, 2008
First, one study found that virtual colonoscopy -- or CT colonography -- was effective in detecting 90 percent of precancerous lesions larger than 10 millimeters ... "CT colonography is a reasonable option for colon cancer screening," said Dr. Durado Brooks, director of prostate and colorectal cancer for the American Cancer Society ... The study participants underwent CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) and then a follow-up colonoscopy on the same day to verify the CT colonography findings. (MEDLINEplus)
X-ray alternative to colon test found effective Sep 18, 2008
The study focused on CT colonography, also known as virtual colonoscopy. It's a super X-ray of the colon that is quicker, cheaper, and easier on the patient than traditional colonoscopies. (Boston Globe)
ASGE Encourages Patients to Speak to Their Doctor About Colorectal Cancer Screening Options Sep 18, 2008
Results of the National CT Colonography Trial Raise Questions for Patients OAK BROOK, Ill. Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Results of the National CT Colonography Trial, published in the September 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, show improvements in the technology's ability to diagnose intermediate- to large-sized polyps in the colon, but this method of testing is not as effective in diagnosing small polyps ... CT colonography is one of several colorectal cancer screening... (PR Newswire)
"Virtual colonoscopy" effective at spotting colon cancer Sep 18, 2008
The study focused on CT colonography, the so-called "virtual colonoscopy." It's a super X-ray of the colon that is quicker, cheaper and easier on the patient than traditional colonoscopies. Colonoscopies cost up to 3,000 dollars while the X-ray test costs 300 to 800. (Xinhuanet, China)
Accuracy of CT Colonography for Detection of Large Adenomas and Cancers Sep 18, 2008
Radiologists trained in CT colonography reported all lesions measuring 5 mm or more in diameter ... The primary end point was detection by CT colonography of histologically confirmed large adenomas and adenocarcinomas (10 mm in diameter or larger) that had been detected by colonoscopy; detection of smaller colorectal lesions (6 to 9 mm in diameter) was also evaluated ... For large adenomas and cancers, the mean ( SE) per-patient estimates of the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative... (New England Journal of Medicine)
AGA Institute statement: Data support CT colonography as viable colorectal cancer screening option Sep 18, 2008
The availability of CT colonography could increase screening rates in eligible patients (i ... Does CT colonography find all possible cancers ... However, CT colonography was less sensitive for small polyps (5 mm to 9 mm), with detection rates as low as 65 percent (5 mm). (EurekAlert!)
Digestive Disease Week study examined ACR's guidelines for CT colonography interpretation Jul 13, 2008
C JULY 11, 2008 -- A study presented at Digestive Disease Week 2008 examined the American College of Radiology's (ACR) CT colonography guidelines recommending that polyps 5mm in size not be reported on CT colonography by applying them to an endoscopic database that collected information about polyps that had been removed and processed. The guidelines also recommend that patients with one or two polyps 6 to 9 mm in size and no larger polyps can have repeat CT colonography in three years rather... (EurekAlert!)
Virtual Biopsy Can Tell Whether Colon Polyp Is Benign Without Removal, Researchers Say May 23, 2008
ScienceDaily (May 22, 2008) A probe so sensitive that it can tell whether or not a cell living within the human body is veering towards cancer development may revolutionize how future colonoscopies are done, say researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. Investigators have found that technology known as a high resolution confocal endomicroscopy probe system can determine whether a colon polyp is benign (not precancerous) - without having to remove it for examination by a pathologist. (Science Daily)
Repeat Colonoscopies Underused in High-Risk Patients May 22, 2008
In his study, Rex wanted to evaluate the impact of a new recommendation from the American College of Radiology, recommending that polyps 5 millimeters or smaller not be reported on CT colonography (CTC), also called virtual colonoscopy, a procedure in which a detailed picture of the colon is created by an X-ray machine linked to a computer. The recommendation also suggests those with one or two polyps that are 6 millimeters to 9 millimeters be offered CTC surveillance in three years instead of... (MEDLINEplus)
American Cancer Society urges colon screenings Apr 5, 2008
CT colonography (CTC) every 5 years. Tests That Primarily Detect Cancer. (Olney Daily Mail, IL)
Health briefs for March 17 Mar 18, 2008
The guidelines add two new tests to the list of recommended options: stool DNA (sDNA) and CT colonography (CTC), also known as virtual colonoscopy ... These tests include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double contrast barium enema and CT colonography. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
ACR Supports American Cancer Society Inclusion of CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy) as Recommended Screening Tool for Colorectal Cancer in New Screening Guidelines Mar 6, 2008
CT colonography employs cutting-edge, virtual reality technology to produce three-dimensional "fly through" images that permit a thorough and minimally invasive evaluation of the entire colorectal structure ... "CT colonography, as a minimally invasive exam, can potentially encourage many more people to choose to be screened for colorectal cancer. This could result in early detection of the disease for more patients, increasing the chance of successful treatment, and potentially reduce... (PR Newswire)
New Guidelines Update Recommendations on Colorectal Cancer Screening Mar 6, 2008
Several tests are among the recommended alternatives including stool tests that detect colorectal cancer but not its precursor, colon polyps, and structural examinations of the colon by endoscopic procedures such as flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, as well as radiological examinations by either barium enema or CT colonography, also known as "virtual colonoscopy." The new guideline recognizes that for flexible sigmoidoscopy, barium enema and CT colonography, a follow-up colonoscopy will be... (PR Newswire)
Non-Polyp Colon Lesions Hard to Detect Mar 6, 2008
The bad news is that virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) is not yet sensitive enough to pick up these dangerous lesions. Previously, experts believed that these non-polypoid lesions were mainly found in people of Japanese descent, and U.S. doctors weren't specially trained to look for them. (MEDLINEplus)
Health groups issue updated colorectal cancer screening guidelines Mar 6, 2008
The guidelines add two new tests to the list of recommended options: stool DNA (sDNA) and CT colonography (CTC), also known as virtual colonoscopy, and for the first time include a preference for screening tests that can not only detect cancer early but also detect precancerous polyps, as those tests provide a greater potential for cancer prevention through polyp removal ... CT colonography (CTC) every 5 years. (EurekAlert!)
AGA supports new guidelines favoring tests that prevent colorectal cancer Mar 6, 2008
The panel of experts representing the societies listed above added two new tests as options: stool DNA (sDNA) and CT colonography (CTC) ... CT colonography (CTC) every 5 years. (EurekAlert!)
Colonoscopy Fears Overcome When Patients Support Patients Jan 8, 2008
8, 2008) Patients who have had a colonoscopy can play a life-saving role by encouraging other patients to follow through with their own colorectal cancer screenings, according to new research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. These peer coaches can provide important information to combat myths and fears that serve as barriers to colonoscopy -- issues patients say their doctors often fail to address. (Science Daily)
CT Colonography versus Colonoscopy Jan 3, 2008
Please for full text and personal services. Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the and any section headings. (New England Journal of Medicine)
CT colonography detects wide-range of extracolonic abnormalities in elderly patients Nov 16, 2007
CT colonography (CTC), when used in elderly patients, can detect a high number of new and significant abnormalities outside the colon (including cirrhosis and tumors) and is well tolerated, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at St. Jamess University Hospital in Leeds, United Kingdom (UK) ... Our study centered on the initial analysis of CT colonography examinations in this patient group ... It is important to note that CT colonography is not used for colorectal cancer... (EurekAlert!)
Virtual Colonoscopies Good at Detecting Cancer Nov 13, 2007
Feigelson said, a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine found, The CT colonography, another name for virtual colonography, was as accurate as the optical colonoscopy. . (WOKR13 Rochester)
First Colonoscopy With Removal Of Polyps Linked To Reduction In Colon Cancer Death Oct 29, 2007
29, 2007) Using a model to predict reductions in death from colorectal cancer, epidemiologists and clinical researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering looked at the relative effect of an initial screening colonoscopy which clears pre-cancerous polyps from the colon versus surveillance follow-up colonoscopy. D., Sidney J. Winawer, M.D., MACG and colleagues presented their findings at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology. (Science Daily)
AGA Institute statement on CT colonography study Oct 6, 2007
The AGA Institute offers the following comments on the study by Kim et al., CT Colonography Versus Colonoscopy for the Detection of Advanced Neoplasia, published in the Oct. 4, 2007, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine ... The AGA Institute welcomes research that will help to clarify the role CT colonography will play in the screening and detection of colorectal cancer and polyps, but many questions remain ... This study by Kim and colleagues shows that CT colonography may be another... (EurekAlert!)
Studies endorse 'virtual colonoscopy' Oct 5, 2007
The American Cancer Society is updating its guidelines, but Robert Smith, director of cancer screening, wouldn't say whether they would now recommend virtual colonoscopy, also known as CT colonography ... "The evidence is accumulating that CT colonography may have a role in primary screening," said Smith. (USA Today -- News)
CT Colonography versus Colonoscopy for the Detection of Advanced Neoplasia Oct 4, 2007
Please for full text and personal services. Volume 357:1403-1412. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Gastroenterology sets standards for CT colonography Sep 8, 2007
Recognizing that CT colonography will play a role in screening for colorectal cancer (CRC), and the critical need to increase overall CRC screening rates, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute issued minimum standards for gastroenterologist performance of the test ... Despite the fact that CT colonography has not yet been endorsed as a primary screening test in asymptomatic, normal risk adults, many patients have shown interest in this test ... The indications for CT... (EurekAlert!)
Viatronix Inc. Receives CE Mark and Announces the Release of Their V3D-Colon Integrated with Medicsight ColonCAD. Jun 13, 2007
Medicsight ColonCAD API is an image-analysis software tool designed to be used with CT Colonography (virtual colonoscopy) scans to assist radiologists in detecting and measuring potential colorectal polyps. Medicsight's ColonCAD products are seamlessly integrated within the advanced 3D visualisation and PACS platforms of industry-leading imaging equipment partners. (PR Newswire)
No data to support leaving small colon polyps in place Apr 27, 2007
There are a variety of established screening methods that are widely available, and emerging technologies, such as computed tomography colonography (CT colonography), that are under investigation. As the medical community evaluates CT colonography, the AGA Institute offers the following comments regarding the study by Pickhardt et al published in Cancer on the cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening with CT colonography and the impact of not reporting diminutive lesions ... CT... (EurekAlert!)
CT Imaging Cost-Effective for Colorectal Cancer Apr 25, 2007
"CT colonography, when properly implemented, is not only a clinically effective screening test, it is also a much safer and more cost-effective approach than subjecting all healthy adults to invasive colonoscopy," Dr. Perry J. Pickhardt told Reuters Health ... Pickhardt from the University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, and associates used a mathematical model to evaluate the clinical and economic impact of CT colonography compared with two tests currently used for colorectal cancer ...... (MEDLINEplus)
Study calls virtual colonoscopy most cost-effective colon cancer screening test Apr 23, 2007
Virtual colonoscopy, or CT colonography (CTC), has arisen as a potentially effective CRC screening tool. Using x-rays and imaging software to develop two- and three-dimensional images of the gastrointestinal tract, it has fewer adverse effects and is better tolerated by patients. (EurekAlert!)
