Open AccessDetection of gas components as a novel diagnostic method for colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Ishibe Atsushi,
Ota Mitsuyoshi,
Takeshita Akemi,
Tsuboi Hiroshi,
Kizuka Satoko,
Oka Hidenori,
Suwa Yusuke,
Suzuki Shinsuke,
Nakagawa Kazuya,
Suwa Hirokazu,
Momiyama Masashi,
Watanabe Jun,
Taguri Masataka,
Kunisaki Chikara,
Endo Itaru
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
annals of gastroenterological surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.308
H-Index - 15
ISSN - 2475-0328
DOI - 10.1002/ags3.12056
Subject(s) - colorectal cancer , fecal occult blood , medicine , feces , gastroenterology , biomarker , defecation , cancer , oncology , colonoscopy , biology , paleontology , biochemistry
Background The fecal occult blood test ( FOBT ) is widely accepted as the most economic and non‐invasive screening method for colorectal cancer ( CRC ). However, the FOBT is inconvenient because it requires a fecal sample and shows limited accuracy. Alternatively, we hypothesized that fecal gas compounds from bowel movements may be a non‐invasive biomarker for CRC . Methods Gas compounds were collected from the bowel movements of 30 patients with CRC and from 26 healthy controls. The patient group comprised 17 males and 13 females, and the average age was 68 years. Additionally, 22 patients had colon cancer, and eight patients had rectal cancer. Gas compounds were analyzed using gas chromatography and compared with those from healthy controls. Results In the gas analysis, methyl mercaptan was significantly higher in the CRC group than in the control group. Hydrogen was significantly lower in the CRC group than in the control group and was correlated with tumor depth and advanced disease stage. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of detection by a discriminant formula were 90%, 57.7%, and 75%, respectively. Conclusion Gas compounds from defecation constitute a promising, novel non‐invasive approach for CRC screening. ( UMIN 000028256)