Looks like the first test utilizing microRNA technology is close to clinical availability. Rosetta Genomics presented data last week in San Francisco highlighting a new way to screen for colon cancer using the new technology. The statistics are impressive: 91% sensitivity and 72% specificity. Colonoscopy is the current accepted standard for screening for colon cancer and sensitivity is "above 90%" with specificity at up to 99%.

A Canadian study has emphasized a little-discussed finding: tumors on the right side of the colon are harder to diagnoses than tumors on the left side. Researchers were of the view that colonoscopies also missed nearly a third of cancers in the left side of the colon as well. The study is published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. Colonoscopies were previously thought to prevent 90% of colon cancers but the Canadian study puts the number at more like 60 to 70 percent. Dr. David F.

Colonoscopy overlooks right-sided colon cancers?

Some radiologists published a paper using decision analysis models to "prove" that CT colonography is not inferior to colonoscopic polypectomy for colon polyps.  They used these computerized methods to show that you don't actually have to  remove the polyps you find on CT colonography. This tries to address one of the drawbacks of "Virtual" colonoscopy: you have to do all the same bowel prep but you can't remove any polyps you find.  The radiologists here are arguing that you can just leave in small polyps if you find them on the CT.

A malignant growth of cells in the large intestine is called colorectal cancer or Rectal Cancer.  People over the age of 50 have the higher risk of getting this disease.  In the United States this is the fourth most common cause of caner in men and women.  Colon cancer develops from the abnormal growths called polyps and can be detected by radiography.  If detected early the disease is curable.

"Virtual colonoscopy" primetime: results comparable to conventional colonoscopy