Published online Oct 15, 1998. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v4.iSuppl2.66
Revised: July 20, 1998
Accepted: August 18, 1998
Published online: October 15, 1998
AIM: To observe diagnostic value of occult blood bead and gastroscopy-pathology for upper digestive tract cancer in high risk area.
METHODS: At the beginning 4970 subjects received the occult blood bead (OBB) test and 817 underwent gastroscopy, 40 persons of those screened were found to have cancers, 30 of which had early lesions (15 had carcinoma in situ). Meanwhile, a double blind randomized control study of the mass screening was conducted. Subjects over 30 years of age were persuaded to participate. Two-hundred and eight people accepted the OBB test, gastroscopy and histopathological assessment.
RESULTS: The double blind randomized control study of the mass screening found 4 cancers (2 early and 2 moderate and advanced). All these four patients fell in the OBB positive subjects and there was no cancer missed.
CONCLUSION: It demonstrates that if the OBB is adequately carried out, missing of upper GI tract cancer is unlikely. We believe that there would inevitably be missed cancers in large samples. The OBB had to stay in the gastric juice in the fundus to ensure a positive color change. The authors believe that until more simple and effective methods of screening for upper GI tract cancers are introduced, the OBB test can be an easy, inexpensive and reliable me ans of screening. It is suitable for use in developing countries and areas to screen for cancerous lesions in the upper GI tract. The OBB gastroscopy screening for esophageal and gastric cancer is reliable and practical.