The Utility of Multitarget Stool DNA Testing for Colorectal Cancer Screening After a Normal Colonoscopy
Division
South Atlantic
Hospital
Trident Medical Center
Document Type
Manuscript
Publication Date
10-17-2024
Keywords
Humans, Colorectal Neoplasms, Middle Aged, Colonoscopy, Female, Male, Retrospective Studies, Early Detection of Cancer, Feces, Aged, DNA, Neoplasm, South Carolina, Adenoma
Disciplines
Diagnosis | Digestive System Diseases | Internal Medicine | Medicine and Health Sciences | Neoplasms
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Multitarget stool DNA (MT-sDNA) tests (here, Cologuard®) are currently used in average-risk patients as a primary method of screening for colorectal cancer. However, MT-sDNA testing has also been used in patients who previously underwent colonoscopy who wish to avoid repeat colonoscopy. Here, in a large primary care practice setting, our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of MT-sDNA testing in patients with a previously normal colonoscopy.
METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 5827 patients from 35 different primary locations in South Carolina. Patients aged 45 and above with a previously documented normal, high-quality colonoscopy prior to the MT-sDNA test date were included. High-risk patients and those with a previous negative MT-sDNA result were excluded.
RESULTS: Of 5827 ordered MT-sDNA tests, 248 patients had a prior normal colonoscopy. The average time from initial colonoscopy to MT-sDNA testing was 7.3 years. Of the 63 patients who had a positive MT-sDNA test, 41 patients (65%) completed follow-up colonoscopy and 40 patients had complete colonoscopy data. Of these 40 patients, 12 patients (30%) had advanced adenomas and none had colorectal cancer. Compared to patients without a previous colonoscopy, patients with prior colonoscopies had fewer adenomas of all types (1.6 vs 2.4) and fewer advanced adenomas (1.4 vs 2.0).
CONCLUSION: Patients with a previously negative colonoscopy and subsequent positive MT-sDNA test were found to have a high rate of advanced adenomas on follow-up colonoscopy (30%). Thus, in patients with a previously negative colonoscopy, MT-sDNA testing may be a reasonable alternative screening option.
Publisher or Conference
Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer
Recommended Citation
Rao AK, Kalra S, Van Leer-Greenberg B, Rockey DC. The Utility of Multitarget Stool DNA Testing for Colorectal Cancer Screening After a Normal Colonoscopy. J Gastrointest Cancer. 2024;56(1):2. Published 2024 Oct 17. doi:10.1007/s12029-024-01118-3
