Fecal immunochemical test
| Fecal immunochemical test | |
|---|---|
| File:Faecal Immunochemical Testing.jpg Faecal Immunochemical Testing | |
| Specialty | {{#statements:P1995}} |
The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a diagnostic technique that examines stool samples for traces of non-visible blood, which could potentially indicate conditions including bowel cancer.[1] Symptoms which could be caused by bowel cancer and suggest a FIT include a change in bowel habit, anaemia, unexplained weight loss, and abdominal pain.[2][3] By using a random forest classification model, sensitivity can be increased.[4]
Blood in stools does not always mean the presence of bowel or anal cancer, it could be from other bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or even hemorrhoids.
A 2022 UK guideline for patients with signs or symptoms of suspected colorectal cancer recommends the use of a FIT threshold of faecal haemoglobin ≥10 μg Hb/g to select patients with symptoms for an urgent referral for colorectal cancer investigation.[5]
References
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