Systematic review with meta-analysis: volatile organic compound analysis to improve faecal immunochemical testing in the detection of colorectal cancer.
Subashini ChandrapalanSofie BoschJoaquín Cubiella FernándezJordi GuardiolaPeter KimaniChris MulderKrishna PersaudTim G J de MeijDonato F AltomareHerman BrennerNanne K H de BoerLuigi RicciardielloRamesh Pulendran ArasaradnamPublished in: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics (2021)
In a FIT-negative symptomatic population, VOC can be a good test to rule-out the presence of CRC. The estimated probability reduction by 0.4% when both tests being negative offers adequate safety netting in primary care for the exclusion of CRC. The number needed to colonoscope to identify one CRC is eight if either FIT or VOC positive. Cost-effectiveness and clinical accuracy of this approach will need further evaluation.