title: Is routine fecal occult blood testing worthwhile in hospitalized patients?
abstract: As with other forms of cancer, early detection of colorectal cancer is associated with higher survival rates. Published reports indicate that 5% to 10% of positive fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) are due to cancer. This article describes a chart review study of 23 hospitalized patients with positive FOBT results, of whom seven (30.3%) had colorectal neoplasia. Rectal examination with FOBT is recommended as part of the hospital admission examination.
authors.affiliation: Harbor Hospital Center, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Anthea
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Afroze
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Richard
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009780:Occult Blood