Potential utility of colorectal cancer screening with computed tomographic colonography in Hong Kong

Abstract

Background Colorectal cancer is becoming the commonest cancer in Hong Kong in 2011. Colorectal cancer screening is becoming a hot topic of discussion after the proposal of a local pilot screening program of colorectal cancer in the Policy Address 2014. Colorectal screening is traditionally performed by faecal occult blood test and optical colonoscopy. Computed tomographic colonography is a new imaging technology, with high sensitivity and specificity for clinically significant colonic lesions and polyps. It is therefore emerging as a new method for the colorectal cancer screening.

Method This project aims to systemically review the literature, try to explore the potential utility and cost effectiveness of using computed tomographic colonography as one of the screening modality for asymptomatic patients aged 50 years or older.

Results and Conclusion The results of the review are presented and conclusion is made. The limitation of the systematic review and its implications of local policy making are also discussed.