Objective: To probe into the method for screening colorectal cancer by the way of stool.
Methods: Telomerase activity in the stool of patients with colorectal cancer was determined by PCR-TRAP.
Results: The positive rate of telomerase activity in the stool of patients with colorectal cancer was 62.8%. Its sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value were 62.8%, 95.7%, and 96.4%, respectively. Telomerase activity in stool was not obviously correlated with Duke's stage, lymphatic metastasis and tumor location. Telomerase activity was also found in the stool sample of a patient with colonic adenoma.
Conclusion: The determination of telomerase activity in the stool of patients with colorectal cancer contributes to the improvement of screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer.