In the ACRIN trial, the CT colonography findings were evaluated using standard colonoscopy as the reference standard. CT colonography was found to be highly accurate for the detection of intermediate and large polyps. Ninety percent of the polyps 1 centimeter or larger were detected by CT colonography. Even polyps as small as one half centimeter were detected by CT colonography with a high degree of accuracy. Since most colon cancers develop from polyps, and screening to find and remove these polyps can prevent colon cancer, an opportunity exists to save lives with early detection.

"There are clearly clinical settings in which CT colonography, colonoscopy, or both tests in combination offer distinct advantages. The most important advice we can give to patients is to get screened. How they get screened should be an individual decision based upon discussions between patients and their providers," said gastroenterologist and study author Paul Limburg, M.D., Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.


Study participants had to be at least 50 years old, scheduled for a screening colonoscopy, and not have received a colonoscopy in the past five years. Each participant had a CT colonography followed by a colonoscopy, with 99 percent of both exams accomplished on the same day. Participants scheduled for a screening colonoscopy were recruited with assistance from gastroenterologists at each participating site. Preparation for CT colonography and colonoscopy both involve taking solutions to clear and cleanse the colon.

Research advocates played an important role in advising the scientists who conducted this study. "As the ACRIN patient advocate who worked with the research team and as a research advocate with C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition, I am pleased that CT colonography can be added to the list of screening options. Having a method that is accurate and comprehensive while being minimally invasive is needed if we are to succeed in substantially reducing deaths from colorectal cancers," said Pam McAllister, Madison, Wis.

For more information regarding colorectal cancer, please visit the National Cancer Institute at: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colon-and-rectal.

For a Q&A on this trial, please go to: http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/VirtualColonoscopyQA.

For further information about the ACRIN National CT Colonography Trial, please visit: http://www.acrin.org/TabID/151/Default.aspx.

ACRIN is a NCI Clinical Trials Cooperative Group. It is made up of investigators from over 100 academic and community-based medical facilities in the United States and several international institutions. ACRIN's mission is to develop information, through clinical trials of diagnostic imaging and image-guided therapeutic procedures that will result in: 1) the earlier diagnosis of cancer, 2) allaying the concerns of those who do not have cancer, and 3) improving the length and quality of lives of cancer patients. Further information about ACRIN can be found at www.acrin.org.

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