Comparison between a guaiac and three immunochemical faecal occult blood tests in screening for colorectal cancer

Eur J Cancer. 2012 Nov;48(16):2969-76. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2012.04.007. Epub 2012 May 7.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the guaiac-based faecal occult blood test (G-FOBT), with that of three immunochemical faecal occult blood tests (I-FOBT) which allow automatic interpretation.

Patients and methods: Under the French organised screening programme, 85,149 average-risk individuals aged 50-74 participating in the third screening round, performed both the G-FOBT (Hemoccult-II test) and one of the I-FOBTs: FOB-Gold, Magstream and OC-Sensor.

Results: Given the chosen threshold, the positivity ratio between the different I-FOBTs and the G-FOBT was 2.4 for FOB-Gold, 2.0 for Magstream and 2.2 for OC-Sensor (P=0.17). The three I-FOBTs were superior to the G-FOBT for colorectal cancer (CRC) detection. The ratios for detection rates were 1.6 (FOB-Gold), 1.7 (Magstream) and 2.1 (OC-Sensor) (P=0.74). For non-invasive CRC they were, respectively, 2.5, 3.0 and 4.0 (P=0.83) and for advanced adenomas 3.6, 3.1 and 4.0 (P=0.39).

Conclusions: This study provides further evidence that I-FOBT is superior to G-FOBT. None of the three I-FOBTs studied appeared to be significantly better than the others.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / blood*
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Carcinoma / blood*
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Colonoscopy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / blood*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Feces / chemistry
  • Female
  • France
  • Guaiac*
  • Hemoglobins / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry*
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Occult Blood*
  • Predictive Value of Tests

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Hemoglobins
  • Guaiac