In a study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine (Volume 359, page 1207) virtual colonoscopy compared favorably to standard colonoscopy. Here’s what you should know.
Virtual colonoscopy, also known as computerized tomographic (CT) colonography, is comparable to standard colonoscopy, according to results from the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) National CT Colonography Trial. These findings provide further support for adding virtual CT to the list of recommended initial colorectal cancer screening options for people who are age 50 or over and at average risk for colon cancer.
In the ACRIN trial, which enrolled more than 2,600 patients at 15 sites across the nation, virtual CT findings were compared with those from standard colonoscopy. Study participants were at least 50 years old and had not had a colonoscopy in the five years prior to the exam.
The investigators found that CT colonography was highly accurate in detecting intermediate and large polyps: 90%of the polyps 1 cm in diameter or larger were detected. Furthermore, even polyps as small as 0.5 cm were detected by CT colonography with a high degree of accuracy. If you've been putting off getting a colonoscopy because of the invasiveness of the procedure, you now have a reliable noninvasive option.
Risks and disadvantages. There are no known risks associated with virtual colonoscopy. One disadvantage is that if a polyp is detected, you will need to have an endoscopic procedure to have it removed, which increases the overall cost. Also, virtual colonoscopy may not be able to detect flat lesions.
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I recently had a virtual colonoscopy at my doctors request....never again. It was the most uncomfortable day I ever spent. The prep made me nauseous, then you are awake to have the air-tube inserted which is uncomfortable. Then you have to keep squeezing a rubber ball between your legs to inflate the colon which I found very painful. I had extreme gas pain for the rest of the day, in fact I couldn't get up out of my recliner due to the extreme gas pain. It took my stomach 2 days to start feeling better. I can't imagine anyone preferring this to a regular colonoscopy. Being asleep is the way to go as far as I'm concerned.
Posted by: feline0 | August 22, 2009
Pray tell, the article doesn't go enough into the procedure with a virtual colonoscopy. I still remember the steel stallion from 1970, invasive to the point where I swore I would never have that, again. And, I haven't. However. with no family history of colon polyps, I wasn't concerned. However, of I knew more . . .
Posted by: jjohnuva | August 22, 2009
The first comment sold me. No virtual colonoscopy. I don't need one, anyway.
Posted by: jjohnuva | August 22, 2009
It's good to receive these updates, but I especially appreciate the comment section. After reading the comment about extreme gas and discomfort after the virtual colonoscopy, I know that I'll continue with the old tried and true method. I think it should also be mentioned that if there is a family history of colon cancer tests will need to be done more frequently than 5 years. According to the physician I saw at Johns Hopkins, the latest thinking on colonoscopies is that a family member should be tested when he or she is 10 years younger than the youngest person in the family to have had colon cancer. Another doctor in the same office had been telling my son he was too young to be concerned, but his sister had colo-rectal cancer at age 46 which was 3 years ago. My son is 11 years younger and when he was finally tested this year, he had 3 or 4 precancerous polyps removed. I have precancerous polyps removed every 3 years. My cousin died from colon cancer at age 51, my father had colon cancer and had a colostomy in his 70's, his mother died of colon cancer at age 66. This is not something to be minimalized at any time. The preparation for a colonoscopy is nothing to look forward to, but the test is not painful and my life without cancer is well worth some discomfort!
Posted by: phillymamakline | August 22, 2009
I understand that radiation exposure is a concern for the virtual colonscopy. Did the study track this or can the editors comment on typical exposures currently and future trends for exposure reduction(I've read of even 256-slice CT machines on the horizon)?
Posted by: cngsteve | August 23, 2009
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