Publications by authors named "M A van der Vlugt"
BACKGROUND : Accurate polyp size measurement is important for polyp risk stratification and decision-making regarding polypectomy and surveillance. Recently, a virtual scale (VS) function has been developed that allows polyp size measurement through projection of an adaptive VS onto colorectal polyps during real-time endoscopy. We aimed to evaluate the VS in terms of variability and systematic differences.
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- High temperatures negatively impact the effectiveness of fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) for detecting colorectal cancer (CRC), especially at 50°C where hemoglobin concentration (Hb) drops significantly over time.
- An experiment storing FIT samples at various temperatures revealed that samples at 30°C maintained stable Hb levels, while those at 50°C showed a rapid decrease in Hb concentration, indicating temperature plays a crucial role in test accuracy.
- Despite 80% of participants returning samples the same day and finding the collection process easy, it's advised to keep FIT samples below 30°C to ensure effectiveness, particularly in warmer climates.
Article Synopsis
- More than half of participants with a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) result did not have advanced neoplasia detected at colonoscopy, but positive FIT results could indicate cancers located closer to the upper gastrointestinal regions.
- A study analyzed data from Dutch colorectal cancer screening participants to determine the risk of being diagnosed with cancers proximal to the colon within three years, comparing those with positive and negative FIT results.
- Findings showed that participants with positive FIT results (both with and without advanced neoplasia) had a greater risk of proximal cancers, with cumulative incidences of 0.7% and 0.6%, respectively, compared to 0.4% in those with negative FIT results.
Article Synopsis
- Fecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT) is crucial for colorectal cancer screening, and combining FIT with other risk factors can enhance the selection of individuals for colonoscopy.
- A systematic literature review found 20 different risk models based on FIT, but most demonstrated a high risk of bias and many lacked external validation.
- Despite their promise to improve colorectal cancer screening effectiveness, the majority of these risk models require more thorough evaluation before being widely implemented.