Comparison of Barium Enema, Computed Tomographic Colonography, and Colonoscopy in Detecting Colon Cancer

Inclusion Criteria

• •DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• •One of the following must be present:
• •* At least 1 positive fecal occult blood test within the past 6 months
• •* Iron deficiency anemia, defined as:
• •* Hemoglobin less than 13 g/dL (males)
• •* Hemoglobin less than 12 g/dL (females)
• •* Ferritin less than 45 g/dL
• •* Episode of bright red blood per the rectum
• •* Family history of colon cancer or adenoma
• •* One first-degree relative diagnosed with colon cancer or adenoma at age 60 or under OR
• •* Two first-degree relatives diagnosed with colon cancer or adenoma at any age
• •No active gastrointestinal hemorrhage, including any of the following:
• •* Reported or witnessed hematemesis
• •* Melenic stools
• •* Melenemesis
• •* Multiple episodes of hematochezia within the past 2 months
• •PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Age:
• •18 and over
• •Performance status:
• •Not specified
• •Life expectancy:
• •Not specified
• •Hematopoietic:
• •See Disease Characteristics
• •Hepatic:
• •Not specified
• •Renal:
• •Not specified
• •Cardiovascular:
• •No myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular accident within the past 6 weeks
• •Pulmonary:
• •No respiratory failure within the past 6 weeks
• •Other:
• •No serious medical disorder (e.g., sepsis) within the past 6 weeks
• •Weight less than 300 pounds
• •Willing and able to undergo endoscopic or radiologic procedures
• •* No need for special precautions in performing endoscopic procedures (e.g., antibiotic prophylaxis or complicated anticoagulation reversal)
• •No prisoners
• •Not pregnant
• •Negative pregnancy test
• •Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• •PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• •Biologic therapy:
• •Not specified
• •Chemotherapy:
• •Not specified
• •Endocrine therapy:
• •Not specified
• •Radiotherapy:
• •Not specified
• •Surgery:
• •Not specified
• •Other:
• •No other concurrent clinical trial participation involving drugs, medical devices, and/or biologics