title: Endoscopic identification and quantification of aberrant crypt foci in the human colon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aberrant crypt foci may be precancerous lesions in the human colon. The occurrence of aberrant crypt foci was compared in patients with an endoscopically normal colon, known adenomatous polyps, and known colorectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 90 patients (30 colonoscopically normal, 30 with adenomatous polyps, 30 with colorectal cancers) magnification chromoscopy was performed to identify aberrant crypt foci in the distal 10 cm of the rectum. Representative biopsy specimens were obtained for histopathologic assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aberrant crypt foci were readily identified. Median and (mean) numbers of aberrant crypt foci were as follows: endoscopically normal colon, 3.5 (5.0); adenomatous polyp(s), 4.0 (6.9); and colorectal cancer, 7.5 (9.9). The number of aberrant crypt foci detected was significantly associated (p = 0.02) with an increased odds that a patient would be in the group with known colorectal cancer (odds ratio = 1.11; 95% CI [1.02, 1.21]), but not in any other group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite a stepwise increase in the number of aberrant crypt foci across the 3 groups, aberrant crypt foci was significantly associated only with comorbid colorectal cancer. Aberrant crypt foci was not associated with adenomatous polyp(s) or normal colon. Additional studies are needed to further elucidate the role of aberrant crypt foci in the development of colorectal neoplasia in humans.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Developmental Endoscopy Unit, and Department of Anatomic Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Gostout
authors.forename: Darius
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sorbi
authors.forename: Lawrence J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Burgart
authors.forename: Linan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: W Scott
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Harmsen
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003111:Colonic Polyps / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity