Detection of colorectal cancer in symptomatic outpatients without visible rectal bleeding: Validity of the fecal occult blood test

Figures & data

Table 1 Symptoms and signs reported by referred outpatients undergoing a Hemoccult Sensa® test as their initial examination

Symptom/sign	%
Fatigue	42.9
Weight loss	21.0
Anemia	12.0
Mucus discharge	23.7
Change in frequency of bowel movements	61.3
Change in consistency of stool	72.4
Insufficient rectal emptying	50.4
Abdominal pain	62.5
Colorectal cancer in first-degree relatives older than 50 years of age	8.0

Table 2 Primary diagnoses at discharge of the 256 study patients by Hemoccult Sensa® result

Primary diagnosis	Positive (number)	Negative (number)
Colorectal cancer	6	2
Adenoma ≥10 mm	6	6
Adenoma <10 mm	4	26
Nonneoplastic polyps	6	24
Normal colon and rectum	22	98
Diverticular disease	7	33
Diverticulitis sequelae	1	2
Colitis
Crohn’s disease	0	1
Ulcerative colitis	0	0
Others	3	5
Angiodysplasia	2	1
Lymphoma	0	1
Total	57	199

Table 3 Tumor site and stage and Hemoccult Sensa® test results for the eight patients with colorectal cancer

Tumor site	Tumor stage	Hemoccult Sensa®
Rectum	Dukes’ stage B	Positive
Rectum	Dukes’ stage B	Positive
Sigmoid colon	Dukes’ stage B	Positive
Sigmoid colon	Adenocarcinoma in an adenoma (T1)a	Positive
Ascending colon	Dukes’ stage D	Negative
Coecum	Dukes’ stage B	Positive
Coecum	Dukes’ stage B	Positive
Coecum and right flexure	Dukes’ stage unknown. The patient had peritoneal dissemination	Negative

Note:

a TNM classification.