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Biomedical subjects

K Fujimori

Publications and source records attributed to K Fujimori.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma by polymerase chain reaction.

BACKGROUND: Cytopathological examinations have been used in the diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma. However, sometimes it is not easy to detect malignant cells in the biopsy specimens. We applied a method that identified monoclonal proliferation of B lymphocytes by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnosis of patients suspected to have intraocular B-cell lymphoma. METHODS: Three specimens of the diagnostic vitrectomy were studied by cytological examination and by PCR to amplify the complementary determining region (CDR3) of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene. As a positive control, a biopsy specimen of an orbital lymphoma was examined; four vitrectomy specimens from patients with diabetic retinopathy, proliferative vitreo-retinopathy, acute retinal necrosis (ARN) and macular hole were negative controls. RESULTS: On cytologic examination, no malignant cells were found in three specimens: suspected intraocular lymphoma and one ARN. In contrast, a discrete band that reflected monoclonal proliferation of B lymphocytes was detected by PCR in specimens from two patients and the positive control. Vitrectomy specimens from the negative controls, including ARN, did not show a discrete band on PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Two cases of ocular malignant lymphoma were diagnosed by PCR identification of monoclonal proliferation of B lymphocytes. This method may be an additional diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of intraocular B-cell lymphoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Relationship between fecal sampling times and sensitivity and specificity of immunochemical fecal occult blood tests for colorectal cancer: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: The present study was conducted to assess the accuracy of three testing methods using an immunochemical fecal occult blood test based on the number of samples as the optimum means for screening of colorectal cancer. METHOD: One hundred eighty-four patients with colorectal cancer and 368 healthy controls served as the subjects for this study. Each subject was tested by an immunochemical fecal occult blood test for three consecutive days. For evaluation of the most desirable number of sampling times, we used the results of the first day for the one-day method, results of the first and second days for the two-day method, and results of three consecutive days for the three-day method. Sensitivities and specificities of the three testing methods were evaluated. RESULTS: Sensitivities of an immunochemical fecal occult blood test were calculated as 67.9 percent for the one-day method, 88 percent for the two-day method, and 90.8 percent for the three-day method; specificity was as follows: 97.5 percent for the one-day method, 95.6 percent for the two-day method, and 92.1 percent for the three-day method. A significant difference in sensitivity was shown between the one-day and two-day and the one-day and three-day methods (P < 0.01); also, a significant difference in specificity was shown between one-day and three-day and two-day and three-day methods (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the two-day method is recommended for immunochemical fecal occult blood testing as a means of screening for colorectal cancer.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1997

Detection rate of immunochemical fecal occult blood test for colorectal adenomatous polyps with severe dysplasia.

This study was conducted to assess the accuracy of an immunochemical occult blood test for detecting colorectal adenomas with severe dysplasia, and to determine the relationship between the grading of adenomatous dysplasia and the results of this test. Sixteen colorectal adenomas under 1 cm with severe dysplasia, 65 adenomas under 1 cm with mild-to-moderate dysplasia, 65 adenomas 1 cm or larger with mild-to-moderate dysplasia, 65 colorectal cancers and 130 healthy controls were investigated. Each subject was tested with an immunochemical fecal occult blood test on 3 consecutive days, and the accuracy of the test was evaluated. The detection rate of this test was 13% for severe dysplasia under 1 cm, 45% for severe dysplasia 1 cm or more, 17% for mild-to-moderate dysplasia under 1 cm, 40% for mild-to-moderate dysplasia 1 cm or more, and 89% for colorectal cancers, and the false positive rate was 5%, showing a significant difference in the detection rate between severe dysplasias 1 cm or more and those under 1 cm (P < 0.05) as well as significant difference between severe dysplasias 1 cm or more and mild-to-moderate dysplasia under 1 cm (P < 0.01), and between cancers and adenomas (P < 0.001), whereas there was no significant difference between the detection rates for severe dysplasia 1 cm or more and mild-to-moderate dysplasia 1 cm or more. These results indicate that there is no association between the detection rate of this immunochemical occult blood test for adenomas and the grade of adenomatous dysplasia.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1997

Immunochemical fecal occult blood test is not suitable for diagnosis of hemorrhoids.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to clarify the diagnostic value of an immunochemical fecal occult blood test for hemorrhoids. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a case-control study, an immunochemical fecal occult blood test with a 2-day method was carried out on 82 subjects with hemorrhoids, on 82 subjects with colorectal cancer, and on 82 healthy subjects. In a population-based cross-sectional study, 29,714 subjects who received an immunochemical occult blood screening with a 2-day method were divided into two groups, according to the results of a questionnaire on hemorrhoids, and the positivity rate of an immunochemical test as well as the predictive value for colorectal cancer were compared in the two groups. Moreover, both an immunochemical occult blood test with a 2-day method and colonoscopy were conducted at the same time on asymptomatic subjects during a medical checkup. RESULTS: In the case-control study, the test was positive in 13.4% subjects with hemorrhoids, in 84.1% subjects with colorectal cancer, and in 4.9% healthy subjects, respectively, showing a significant difference in the detection rate between the two diseases (P < 0.001). In the population screening program, the test was positive in 6.9% subjects with hemorrhoids and in 6.5% subjects without hemorrhoids, and the predictive value was 3.2% in subjects with and without hemorrhoids, respectively, indicating no significant difference in the positivity rate as well as the predictive value between the two groups. Among 232 subjects in a medical checkup, 28 patients with hemorrhoids and 21 patients with colorectal polyp 1 cm or larger were diagnosed by colonoscopy, and the occult blood test was positive in 16.7% patients with hemorrhoids and in 52.4% patients with colorectal polyp, respectively. There was a significant difference in the sensitivity between the two disease groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that the immunochemical fecal occult blood is unsuitable for the diagnosis of the patients with hemorrhoids and an examination of the colorectum is necessary in cases where the occult blood test is positive but there is a sign of hemorrhoids.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of a novel glycopeptide using a microbial endoglycosidase.

The chemoenzymatic synthesis of a glycopeptide by chemical synthesis of N-acetylglucosaminyl peptide and enzymatic transfer of an oligosaccharide is described. We synthesized glycosylated Peptide T which blocks infection of human T cells by human immunodeficiency virus. The first step of the chemoenzymatic method is the solid-phase chemical synthesis of N-acetylglucosaminyl Peptide T (Ala-Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn(GlcNAc)-Tyr-Thr) with an N-acetylglucosamine moiety bound to the asparaginyl residue by a solid-phase method. This product was prepared in high yield by the dimethylphosphinothioic mixed anhydride method without protecting the hydroxyl functions of the sugar moiety using Fmoc-N-acetylglucosaminyl asparagine instead of Fmoc-asparagine. The second step was transglycosylation of complex type oligosaccharide to N-acetylglucosaminyl Peptide T by a microbial endoglycosidase. The endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase of Mucor hiemalis transfer the oligosaccharide of human transferrin glycopeptide to N-acetylglucosaminyl Peptide T. The transglycosylation product was confirmed to be the glycosylated Peptide T with a sialo biantennary complex type oligosaccharide by mass spectrometry. The glycosylated Peptide T was highly stable against proteolysis in comparison to native Peptide T and N-acetylglucosaminyl Peptide T.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1997

Clinical diagnostic accuracy of faecal occult blood test for anal diseases.

PURPOSE: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of faecal occult blood test (FOBT) for anal diseases and to evaluate the relationship of this disorder to the results of FOBT. METHODS: In a hospital-based retrospective study, FOBT using faecal samples collected on two consecutive days was performed on patients with anal disease, such as internal as well as external haemorrhoids and anal fissure, patients with colorectal cancer and healthy subjects to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of FOBT. In a screening-programme-based cross-sectional study, the subjects who underwent colorectal cancer screening by FOBT using the 2-day method were divided into two groups according to the results of a questionnaire on anal diseases; the positive rate of FOBT as well as the predictive value for colorectal cancer were determined in the two groups. RESULTS: Among 300 cases, including 100 anal diseases, 100 colorectal cancers and 100 healthy subjects, the test was positive in 12 anal diseases, 82 colorectal cancers and six healthy subjects. The sensitivity to anal diseases and colorectal cancer was calculated to be 12% and 82%, respectively, and the specificity was 95%. A significant difference was noted in the sensitivity between anal diseases and colorectal cancer (P < 0.001). Among 21,724 subjects, who underwent colorectal cancer screening, 2395 subjects were positive for anal diseases, and 19,329 subjects were negative. The positive rate of FOBT was 7.2 for the anal diseases group and 6.8 for the non-anal diseases group, and the predictive value for colorectal cancer was 2.9 and 3.0, indicating no substantial difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results reveal that FOBT is inferior for the diagnosis of anal diseases, and anal diseases have little relationship to the results of FOBT.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

An investigation into the prevalence of thyroid disease on Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.

The prevalence of thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer was studied in the indigenous population residing on Ebeye Island, Kwajalein Atoll, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This island, centrally located in the nation, is home to about 25% of the nation's population, many who have migrated there from other atolls. The objective of the study was to obtain thyroid disease rate statistics on as much of the population as possible that was alive during the years of nuclear testing and to test the hypothesis that described a linearly decreasing prevalence of palpable nodules with increasing distance from the Bikini test site. 1,322 Marshallese born before 1965 were given a thyroid examination using neck palpation, fine needle aspiration biopsy, and high resolution ultrasound imaging. Approximately 40% of the total population living on this island who are at risk from exposure to radioactive fallout during the years 1946-1958 were screened. Of that group, 815 were alive at the time of the BRAVO test on 1 March 1954. Two hundred sixty-six people with thyroid nodules were found (32.6%): 132 were palpable nodules (16.2%), and 134 were nodules that could be diagnosed with ultrasound only (15.7%). Prevalence of palpable nodules was particularly high in men and women older than 60 y, in men who were 6 to 15 y of age at the time of the BRAVO test, and in women 1 to 10 y of age at the time of the BRAVO test. In 22 people, the clinical diagnosis was most likely cancer though histopathological evidence was only available from 11 operated cases. Of the 11 operated cases, 10 were cancer. Cancer prevalence was particularly high in those women born between 1944 and 1953 (7/220 = 3.2%), i.e., who were children during the early years of nuclear testing. The Ebeye data showed a marginally significant correlation between palpable nodule prevalence among women and distance to Bikini (r = -0.44, p = 0.06). This report summarizes the clinical findings of the thyroid examinations, the age distributions for nodular disease and cancer, and examines the relationship between prevalence of nodules and present day levels of 137Cs in the environment of each atoll.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A pilot phase 2 study of surgical treatment after induction chemotherapy for resectable stage I to IIIA small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of surgical resection of the primary tumor and regional lymph nodes in patients with resectable stage I to IIIA small cell lung cancer (SCLC) who had responded to induction chemotherapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (age, 39 to 70 years; median, 60.5 years) with resectable stage I to IIIA SCLC were identified as candidates for induction chemotherapy. All patients received two to four cycles of preoperative chemotherapy IV every 3 weeks (CAV II: cisplatin, 80 mg/m2, day 1; doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin), 30 mg/m2, day 1; etoposide (VePesid), 60 mg/m2 day 1 to 5). The overall response rate to induction chemotherapy was 95.5% (complete response, 5 of 22; and partial response, 16 of 22). After induction chemotherapy, 21 patients (95.5%) underwent a surgical resection (one pneumonectomy, 19 lobectomies, one segmentectomy). The postoperative pathologic study revealed only SCLC in 15 patients, only adenocarcinoma in one patient, and no residual tumor in five patients. The median survival time was 61.9 months for both the 21 surgical patients and all 22 patients, while their actuarial 3-year survival rates were 66.7% and 63.6%, respectively, for a follow-up period from 41.1 to 107.6 months (median, 59.8 months). Patients with clinical stages I and II disease had significantly longer survival times than did those with stage IIIA disease (3-year survival rates, 73.3% and 42.9%, respectively; p=0.018). The major adverse reaction was an operation-related death for one patient with N2 disease, but no other serious side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: This induction chemotherapy followed by surgery is feasible and may be beneficial for the treatment of resectable stage I to IIIA SCLC.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Problems in noninvasive positive pressure ventilation of patients with acute-on-chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure].

In patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) has been used to avoid endotracheal intubation. The aim of this study was to identify factors that can prevent the success of this technique. We applied a BiPAP ventilatory assist device (Respironics, Inc., Murrysville, PA) via a nasal mask to 13 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure and analyzed their clinical and physiological status. Intubation was not needed in 11 of 14 episodes (78%). The mean pH, PaCO2, and heart rate before BiPAP in the three patients who required intubation differed significantly from those in the patients who did not require intubation (pH 7.19 vs. 7.31: p < 0.05, PaCO2 107.8 vs. 77.8 Torr: p < 0.05, heart rate 127 vs. 105/min; p < 0.05). In those who required intubation the mean pH improved during the first 12 hours of BiPAP but then worsened. In 5 episodes, the PaCO2 increased during the initial trial of BiPAP, but decreased after the amount of supplemental oxygen was reduced. We conclude that NPPV should be used soon after respiratory failure begins, and care should be taken not to supply too much oxygen.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

[Right atrial thrombus recognized 18 years after tricuspid valve replacement: a case report].

A 53-year-old man, who had undergone tricuspid valve replacement with Hancock valve and direct closure of a ventricular septal defect when aged 34 years, was admitted with signs of right heart failure. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed bioprosthetic tricuspid valve malfunction with right atrial thrombus. He was treated by tricuspid valve replacement using a Hancock II valve and removal of the right atrial thrombus with remarkable improvement. Transesophageal echocardiography was the most useful method for recognizing the presence of right atrial thrombus and assessing its actual or potential hemodynamic effects.

Echocardiography↗
PubMed1997

[Clinical features of postinfectious chronic cough].

Postinfectious cough has been drawing attention as a factor involved in the etiology of chronic cough in the United States. In Japan, clinical features of postinfectious chronic cough (PICC) have not been described in detail. We investigated 22 patients with PICC diagnosed by the established criteria (Jpn. J. Allergol. 1995; 44: 1418). All patients were nonsmokers and none received ACE inhibitors. None had a history of atopy or sinus diseases. There were four men and 18 women with a median age of 65 years. These 22 patients underwent clinical examinations including chest roentgenograms, respiratory function tests, eosinophil counts in venous blood, serum IgE titers, antibody titers to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, sputum cytologic findings taken from ten patients, and histological features of bronchial biopsy specimens obtained from two patients; all findings were within normal limits. Clinical course of cough in 20 of the patients with PICC was evaluated using a cough diary. One patient did not keep a cough diary. Ten patients improved with dextromethorphan hydrobromide (D) and oxatomide (O). Three of the remaining 9 patients improved with Bakumondo-to (B) only, 4 with D+O+B, and 2 with D+O+B+ozagrel hydrochloride. The duration of cough before treatment showed a significant correlation with the time from the start of treatment to recovery (r = 0.47, p < 0.05). These results indicate that PICC tends to occur in elderly women and to improve with treatment combining with D, O, and B. We hope to establish a standard therapy for postinfectious chronic cough.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Treatment of roentogenographically occult endobronchial carcinoma with external beam radiotherapy and intraluminal low dose rate brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: A prospective Phase II study was done to investigate the treatment results of combined external beam and intraluminal radiotherapy in roentogenographically occult inoperable endobronchial carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In 41 patients (all male) with roentogenographically occult endobronchial carcinoma, a combination of external beam radiotherapy using linac x-ray and intraluminal low dose rate brachytherapy via 192Ir thin wire (1.48 GBq) was performed. External beam radiotherapy comprised of 40 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks was carried out, whereas intraluminal brachytherapy consisted of 25 Gy in five fractions over 2.5-5 weeks. The dose reference point for brachytherapy varied (3-9 mm) according to a diameter of the bronchus. RESULTS: Excluding two cases in which bronchoscopy was refused (1) and was still being treatment (1), 39 patients were treated according to plan. By the last intraluminal brachytherapy, no tumor was endoscopically identifiable in all cases. The follow-up period ranged from 1-41 months, with a median of 24.5 months. Recurrence occurred in two cases, with subsequent surgery: one is alive without cancer and the other died of uncontrolled lung cancer at 35 months. Radiation pneumonitis was observed in two cases for whom glucocorticoid and antibiotics were administered. Both recovered and resumed work. Other recurrences or severe complications from irradiation have not been observed so far. Two or more separate primary cancers were observed in 19 (lung, 10; other organs, 10) of the 41 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The combination treatment of external beam radiotherapy and intraluminal brachytherapy is effective for roentogenographically occult endobronchial carcinoma with acceptable complications.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Postischemic functional recovery and BMIPP uptake after primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction.

To correlate asynergic wall motion after primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with myocardial perfusion and fatty acid metabolism, quantitative tomographies using thallium and radioiodinated 15-(p-iodophenyl)-3-R,S-methylpentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) were performed during the acute and recovery stages in 56 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction, of whom 32 underwent primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (group A) and 24 were conservatively treated (group B); 44 patients (79%) had 1-vessel disease. Reduced myocardial uptakes of thallium and BMIPP and regional wall motion were quantified with a bull's eye technique and a centerline method using contrast left ventriculography, respectively. BMIPP activity was significantly lower than that of thallium at an acute stage in both groups. Abnormal BMIPP activities and the difference in thallium and BMIPP abnormalities (perfusion metabolism mismatch) at an acute stage decreased significantly during follow-up in group A (111 +/- 13 to 99 +/- 12 and 30 +/- 10 to 15 +/- 10, respectively), and not in group B (129 +/- 31 vs 118 +/- 29 and 29 +/- 13 vs 30 +/- 10, respectively). Improvement in regional wall motion abnormality correlated closely with the improved uptakes of thallium and BMIPP (y = 0.64x + 26.4, r = 0.56, p < 0.05; y = 1.1x + 11.1, r = 0.81, p < 0.001; respectively). The mismatched uptake of both tracers at an acute stage was significantly related to recovery from asynergic wall motion during follow-up in group A (y = 0.45x + 13.9, r = 0.65, p < 0.005). In conclusion, despite restored myocardial perfusion by primary coronary angioplasty, BMIPP uptake is impaired in salvaged myocardium at an acute stage of infarction. However, the degree and improvement of perfusion metabolism mismatch in acute myocardial infarction may reflect subsequent recovery from postischemic wall motion abnormality in metabolically impaired but viable myocardium after coronary reperfusion.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Cardiac oxygenation by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in exteriorized fetal lambs.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of cardiac oxygenation produced by different routes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in fetal lambs submerged in warm saline solution. STUDY DESIGN: Seven fetal lambs ranging in age from 113 to 133 days of gestation were delivered by cesarean section and oxygenated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. To maintain the patency of the ductus arteriosus, prostaglandin E1 was continuously infused intravenously to the fetus. Initially the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation route was from the right atrium to the carotid artery. Then the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation route was changed to flow from the right atrium to the umbilical vein. The fetus was kept in a warm saline solution bath, and the fetal circulation was maintained. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation flow ranged between 100 and 200 ml/min throughout the experiment. Simultaneous blood samples were taken during both types of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation from the following points in the fetal circulation: premembrane (least oxygenated blood leaving the fetus from the right atrium), postmembrane (oxygenated blood returning to the fetus), the carotid artery, and the left ventricle. The respiratory gases and pH of each sample were measured. Six fetuses received nonradioactive colored microspheres injected into the oxygenated blood returning to the fetus flow before returning to the fetuses during both types of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. After the animals were killed, microspheres were counted in the myocardium separately taken from the right and left atria and the right and left ventricles to determine cardiac blood flow. RESULTS: During right atrium to carotid artery extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, left ventricle PO2 remained low as postmembrane PO2 increased; these values were not significantly correlated (r = 0.234, p = 0.61). During right atrium to umbilical vein extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, left ventricle and postmembrane PO2 exhibited a significant positive correlation (r = 0.855, p = 0.014). When the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation route was switched from the right atrium to carotid artery to the right atrium to umbilical vein, there was a significant increase in left ventricle PO2 and a decrease in left ventricle PCO2, whereas the respiratory gases and pH remained unchanged at other sites in the circulation. Microsphere counts were consistently higher during right atrium to umbilical vein extracorporeal membrane oxygenation than during right atrium to carotid artery extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in all four samples from different parts of myocardium (p < 0.001 by paired t test). CONCLUSION: More effective cardiac oxygenation is provided by right atrium to umbilical vein extracorporeal membrane oxygenation than by right atrium to carotid artery extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Oxygenation in fetal lambs supported by extrauterine right atrium to artery extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the adequacy of oxygenation, particularly cranial and cardiac oxygenation, in exteriorized fetal lambs on right atrium to artery extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. STUDY DESIGN: Thirteen fetal lambs were placed on right atrium to artery extracorporeal membrane oxygenation between the gestational ages of 113 and 133 days. Various PO2 and oxygen saturation (SO2) values were obtained by varying the oxygen concentrations at the oxygenator membrane. Blood gases, pH, and SO2 were observed on samples taken before and after membrane oxygenation from the left ventricle and through the cranial carotid arterial catheter. These were compared with control values obtained before the cessation of umbilical circulation. Fetal coronary oxygenation was represented by left ventricle PO2 and SO2 and cranial oxygen by carotid artery PO2 and SO2. RESULTS: We classified oxygen saturation as low, medium, and high on the basis of the level of postmembrane SO2. Carotid artery cranial oxygenation in the low SO2 group was equivalent to control values, but that in the medium and high SO2 groups was significantly higher than in the control group. Left ventricle oxygenation was consistently lower than cranial oxygenation in any SO2 group. In the low group left ventricle oxygenation was significantly lower than the control values. CONCLUSIONS: Right atrium to artery extracorporeal membrane oxygenation appears sufficient to oxygenate the fetal cranial circulation but may be inadequate for the efficient distribution of oxygenated blood into the left ventricle and thus the coronary circulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Diagnostic accuracy of immunochemical faecal occult blood test for gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the accuracy of the immunochemical occult blood test in screening for gastric cancer and to evaluate whether or not the upper digestive tract should be examined when the occult blood test is positive but there is no abnormal sign in the colorectum. METHODS: In a case-control study an occult blood test was carried out on 150 subjects with gastric cancer, 150 subjects with colorectal cancer, and on 300 healthy subjects. Data were analysed from 44,996 persons attending a population screening programme who underwent both radiological gastric cancer screening (barium meal) and colorectal cancer examination by occult blood test. RESULTS: In the case-control study the occult blood test was positive in 27/150 (18%) subjects with gastric cancer, in 112/ 150 (75%) subjects with colorectal cancer, and in 24/300 (8%) healthy controls. In the population screening programme the occult blood test was positive in 4/50 (8%) persons with gastric cancer and 3232/ 44,950 (7%) persons without gastric cancer, indicating no difference between them. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that the immunochemical faecal occult blood test is worthless as a screening test for gastric cancer, and that examination of the upper digestive tract is unnecessary in cases where the faecal occult blood test is positive but there is no sign of colorectal disease.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1996

Characteristics of colorectal cancer with false negative result on immunochemical faecal occult blood test.

OBJECTIVES: A comparative study was carried out to clarify the clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer diagnosed after a false negative result on the immunochemical faecal occult blood test. METHODS: 236 patients with colorectal cancer were studied: 48 patients with negative results and 188 patients with positive results with the faecal occult blood test. The two groups were compared according to their age and sex and by the site, size, macroscopic type, Dukes's classification, and histological type of their cancer lesions. Additionally, the above factors were investigated prospectively and compared in 40 cases of colorectal cancer cases diagnosed as false negative and in matched cases diagnosed as true positive in cancer screening by the immunochemical faecal occult blood test. RESULTS: In both the hospital based case-control study and the screening programme based nested case-control study the prevalence of rectal cancers was higher in the false negative group than in the true positive group (P = 0.02, P = 0.03), but there were no differences between the two groups for any other factors. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the immunochemical faecal occult blood test is unsuitable for the diagnosis of rectal cancer.

Case-Control Studies↗