First annual pan-Asian CT colonography congress
13 December 2007 Leading radiology experts from China, Korea, Japan and
the UK have draw up plans this week for the first ever pan-Asian
computerised tomographic colonography (CTC) congress.
The rising prevalence of colorectal cancer in Asia, necessitates a
meeting in Asia to ensure the exchange of scientific and professional
information about colorectal cancer screening, and to encourage increased
adoption of CTC by Asian radiologists.
Medicsight plc, a UK-headquartered developer of computer-aided detection
(CAD) and image analysis software for the medical imaging market will
provide an educational grant to facilitate logistical support for the
inaugural meeting. According to Professor Steve Halligan, of University
College Hospital, London, and Chair of the steering committee: “There are a
great number of healthcare professionals in Asia who are not being given the
training opportunities that are available in Europe and the USA. Their
involvement in these educational initiatives could ultimately provide
patients with better access to cutting edge diagnostic technologies.”
The Asia-Pacific region contributes almost half of the world’s cancer
deaths. Colorectal cancer is the world’s second most prevalent cancer and is
the cause of approximately 75,000 deaths annually in Eastern Asia (1)
(China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia) and this figure is rising. Among individuals
diagnosed with colorectal cancer, survival is highly dependent on how
advanced the disease is at diagnosis.
Five-year survival is 90% if the disease is diagnosed while confined by
the bowel wall but only 65% once it has spread to the lymph nodes and 9% if
it has spread throughout the body(2). Most colorectal cancers arise from
precursor lesions in the large intestine called ‘adenomatous polyps’.
Screening is important because it means that adenomatous polyps can be
removed before they become cancerous. Screening also detects asymptomatic
cancer, which has a better prognosis than symptomatic disease(2).
There are a number of colorectal cancer screening tools available, each
with advantages and disadvantages. Colonoscopy is considered the gold
standard for screening for colon cancer. However, data presented at the
recent American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) meeting showed
that CTC is at least as sensitive as conventional colonoscopy in detecting
adenomas of 1 cm diameter or larger(3). CTC is a less invasive option and
unlike conventional colonoscopy, there is no need for the patient to undergo
sedation and the risk of symptomatic colon perforation is much less.
Dr Stuart Taylor of University College Hospital, London and faculty
member of the steering committee, said, “In Asia, a broad multi-detector
computerised tomography (MDCT) infrastructure exists that could support
colorectal cancer screening by CTC. This pan-Asia CTC Congress will
certainly provide radiologists with the opportunity to be trained in CTC by
some of the world’s finest specialists and raise awareness of the importance
of colorectal cancer screening.”
The steering committee, comprising Professor Steve Halligan, UK, Dr
Stuart Taylor, Uk, Dr Noriyuki Moriyama, Japan, Dr Gen Iinuma, Japan, Dr Qi
Ji, China, Dr Zhou Cheng, China and Dr Se Hyung Kim, Korea, intends that the
CTC Asia Congress will promote and showcase state-of-the art CTC practice
and research, informing and educating delegates on interpretation and best
clinical practice.
As well as offering high quality “hands on” training workshops, the
congress will encourage research collaboration amongst delegates and help to
foster and cement relationships within the Asian radiology and
gastroenterology community. The congress is planned to be held in 2009, with
the location yet to be decided. References 1. Globocan 2002,
Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence, Eastern Asia.
http://www-dep.iarc.fr/ 2. Smith RA,
Mettlin CJ, Eyre H. 31. Cancer Screening and Early Detection. In: D. W. Kufe
et al., eds. Cancer Medicine. 6 ed. Hamilton, London: BC Decker Inc, 2003
3. Pickhardt PJ, Choi JR, Hwang I, et al. Computed tomographic virtual
colonoscopy to screen for colorectal neoplasia in asymptomatic adults. N
Engl J Med 2003; 349(23):2191-2200. To top
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