Computed tomographic (CT) colonography could be a good option for colorectal cancer screening, according to a new study in the September 18, 2008 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine .

Unlike standard colonoscopy, CT colonography is a minimally invasive way of obtaining images of the colon and the rectum using CT scanning technology. CT colonography also takes less time and requires no sedation; however, it does expose patients to small amounts of radiation. In this new study, called the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) National CT Colonography Trial, 2531 adults with an average age of 58.3 years and no symptoms were screened for colorectal cancer using CT colonography. These CT scans were then interpreted by trained radiologists. The investigators of the study found that CT colonography was able to identify 90% of the study participants who had polyps or cancers that were 10 millimeters or more in diameter. Of the 10% of lesions that were missed, only 1 was cancer and the remainder were polyps, which may or may not have been cancerous.

Based on the current evidence, CT colonography seems comparable to standard colonoscopy in identifying 10 millimeter or larger lesions. Earlier this year, the American Cancer Society and the US Multisociety Task Force on Colorectal Cancer added CT colonography as a screening option for colorectal cancer. It is, however, important to remember that radiologists need to be very familiar and well-trained to use this technology.

Source

N Engl J Med. 2008;359:1207-1217.