Abstract
Due to its high incidence and mortality rates, the colorectal carcinoma represents a crucial medical issue. However, when it is detected in early stage there is high rate of successful treatment.
That’s why, early stage cancer screening programmes were introduced into the clinical practice. They focus on the finding of hidden bleeding, using various laboratory techniques, sigmoidoscopy, and, primarily, colonoscopy.
However, screening programmes have not yet reached the effect required. New techniques are therefore being developed, such as the detection of blood biomarkers.
This group includes also methylated SEPT9 (mSEPT9) detection in blood. We applied this test on 57 patients; we divided the group into two parts.
There were 33 asymptomatic individuals in the first group. In this group, we were got only one positive mSEPT9 result.
The consequent colonoscopies were negative. The other group had 24 proven carcinomas.
Of them, two had negative mSEPT9 results. The remaining in all 22 patients was tested mSEPT9 positive.
After its efficiency is tested by further studies, this test may be used especially for patients with low compliance, as it only requires routine blood drawing.