Why are polyps the size of 10 mm or larger especially important to detect?
Generally, polyps of this size are more likely to develop into cancer. However, smaller polyps can also become cancerous, and this study demonstrated that CTC is able to detect polyps as small as 5 mm in width (about the diameter of a pencil) with high sensitivity. Sensitivity in this study was defined as the percentage of polyps detected by CTC that were later confirmed by biopsy as actually being polyps that have the potential to become cancerous. In particular, the study estimated the following sensitivity values, depending on polyp size: • 90 percent for polyps 9 mm in size or greater • 87 percent for polyps 8mm in size or greater • 84 percent for polyps 7mm in size or greater • 78 percent for polyps 6mm in size or greater 7. How many people screened with CTC are expected to be referred for a subsequent colonoscopy? The study results indicate that if all patients found to have a polyp 5 mm or larger by CTC were referred for a colonoscopy, less than 17 percent of patients would be r
