|
| Test | Advantages | Limitations |
|
| Colonoscopy | (i) Highest performance for CRC detection
(ii) Views entire colon
(iii) Can take biopsies
(iv) Can remove polyps
| (i) May not detect some polyps, cancer, and nonpolypoid lesions
(ii) Requires sedation
(iii) Requires bowel preparation
(iv) May cause tearing or perforation [62] |
|
| Flexible sigmoidoscopy | (i) High performance for CRC detection in rectum and lower one-third of the colon
(ii) Minimal Bowel preparation
(iii) Does not require sedation
(iv) Can take biopsies
(v) Can remove polyps | (i) Cannot detect abnormalities in the upper part of the colon
(ii) Very small risk of tearing or perforation [62] |
|
| Double-contrast barium enema | (i) High performance for CRC detection
(ii) Views entire colon
(iii) Does not require sedation | (i) May not detect small polyps and cancer
(ii) Requires bowel preparation
(iii) May indicate false-positive results
(iv) Colonoscopy is needed to remove polyps or perform a biopsy if abnormalities are found |
|
| Computer tomographic colonography | (i) High performance for CRC detection
(ii) Views entire colon
(iii) Does not require sedation
(iv) Noninvasive | (i) May not detect some polyps, cancer, and nonpolypoid lesions [63, 64]
(ii) Requires bowel preparation
(iii) Colonoscopy is needed to remove polyps or perform a biopsy if abnormalities are found [65] |
|
| Fecal blood tests | (i) Intermediate performance for CRC detection
(ii) Noninvasive
(iii) No bowel preparation
(iv) Low cost | (i) Fails to detect most polyps and some cancers [66, 67]
(ii) May indicate false-positive results [66, 67]
(iii) Dietary restrictions may be needed
(iv) Needs a confirmatory colonoscopy for positive results |
|
| Stool DNA test | (i) Intermediate performance for CRC detection
(ii) Noninvasive
(iii) No bowel preparation | (i) Will not detect some polyps and cancers
(ii) Costly
(iii) Uncertain interval for screening
(iv) Needs a confirmatory colonoscopy for positive results |
|
