Radiation exposure during virtual colonoscopy doesn't significantly raise ca...( udy author with the Columbia University...),Health

udy author with the Columbia University Medical Center. "With the potential for low cancer risks and the use of non-cathartic bowel preparation, virtual colonoscopy is a very promising modality which could potentially increase patient compliance with current guidelines for colorectal cancer screening."

A future trends report published by the AGA¹ provided a review of clinical trials and quantitative mathematical models to determine the potential role of CT colonography in colorectal cancer screening. Limitations of CT colonography included variation in results of clinical trials and limited data on its use in routine clinical practice. Questions currently being addressed in clinical outcomes studies include:

• Is there a minimum polyp size detectable by CT colonography for which patients should be referred for polyp removal?
• What is the minimum-sized lesion by which CT colonography sensitivity will be judged?
• What polyp size, if any, would physicians and more importantly their patients, allow to remain in place and undergo surveillance rather than immediate removal?
• How will CT colonography screening followed by colonoscopy for patients with polyps impact patients' compliance and health-care costs?

Bowel preparation continues to be a large barrier to patient compliance for colorectal cancer screening. In most current CT colonography protocols, patients must undergo rigorous bowel cleansing preparation similar to that of traditional colonoscopy. However, significant progress is being made in the development of a minimal preparation or "prep-less" CT colonography test which would potentially have a major impact on patient compliance.

Guidelines of multiple agencies and professional societies underscore the importance of screening for all individuals 50 years of age and older. Currently, there are a number of tests that may be used to screen for colorectal cancer, the second-leading cance
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Contact: Kimberly Wise
media@gastro.org
301-941-2620
American Gastroenterological Association
1-Jul-2005

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