A fecal occult blood test is used to detect the presence of blood in the intestines that may not be visually noticeable. Gastroenterologist Lyudmila Solonitskaya told MedicForum about this.
— Fecal occult blood analysis is an important laboratory test in the diagnosis of hidden bleeding from various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Hidden bleeding is one of the early symptoms of a number of serious gastrointestinal diseases, including cancer. Having detected the disease at an earlier stage, we have every chance of curing it, the doctor noted.
This analysis can be useful for identifying various diseases and conditions:
1. Early detection of colorectal cancer: Hidden blood in the stool may be a sign of a tumor in the colon or rectum. Early detection of cancer allows treatment to begin at an early stage, which increases the chances of a full recovery.
2. Diagnosis of polyps: polyps are precancerous formations that can progress to cancer. Detection of occult blood in the stool may indicate the presence of polyps and require additional studies to confirm the diagnosis.
3. Evaluating the effectiveness of treatment: Fecal occult blood testing can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for certain diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease or ulcerative colitis.
4. Screening for gastrointestinal bleeding: Fecal occult blood testing is part of screening programs to detect gastrointestinal bleeding, which may be due to various causes, such as ulcers, polyps, or inflammation.
< br>Reaction to occult blood according to Gregersen may show:
Erosive gastroduodenitis;
Exacerbation of ulcers;
Tumor in the stomach, intestines;
Diverticulum;
Esophageal varicose veins;
Hemorrhoids;
Intestinal tuberculosis;
Crohn's disease;
Polyps;
Ulcerative colitis.
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Important!The information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor.