Multitarget stool DNA testing was cost-effective relative to no screening, but CT colonography is cost-saving<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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MONDAY, June 16, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Computed tomography colonography (CTC) is cost-effective and clinically effective for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, according to a study published online June 10 in Radiology<\/em>.<\/p>\n Perry J. Pickhardt, M.D., from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health in Madison, and colleagues compared the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of CRC screening with CTC versus multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA) testing. Using updated natural history evidence for colorectal polyps applied to a hypothetical 10,000-person cohort representative of the 45-year-old U.S. population, a Markov model was constructed. Three screening strategies were modeled with these data: mt-sDNA testing every three years, conventional CTC (CTCconv<\/sub>), and surveillance CTC (CTCsurv<\/sub>) strategies. The CTCconv<\/sub> strategy involved immediate polypectomy for all polyps measuring at least 6 mm every five years, whereas the CTCsurv<\/sub> strategy involved three-year CTC follow-up for small polyps measuring 6 to 9 mm and polypectomy for polyps \u226510 mm.<\/p>\n The researchers found that the cumulative incidence of CRC was 7.5 percent without screening, which was reduced by 59, 75, and 70 percent with mt-sDNA, CTCconv<\/sub>, and CTCsurv<\/sub>, respectively. The estimated programmatic costs were $4,955, $6,011, $4,422, and $3,913 for no screening, mt-sDNA, CTCconv<\/sub>, and CTCsurv<\/sub>, respectively. Per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained, the estimated cost was $8,878 for mt-sDNA, while both CTC strategies were cost-saving; consequently, CTC strategies dominated over mt-sDNA and no screening. The CTCconv<\/sub> strategy was less cost-effective than the CTCsurv<\/sub> strategy, with costs associated with more optical colonoscopies not offsetting the small gains in QALYs. When CRC screening began at ages 50 and 65 years, the results were similar.<\/p>\n “Among the safe, minimally invasive colorectal cancer screening options, CT colonography is more effective at preventing and detecting cancer — and is also more cost-effective — than stool DNA testing,” Pickhardt said in a statement.<\/p>\n Several authors disclosed ties to the biotechnology and medical technology industries, including Bracco Diagnostics, which partially funded the study.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n