'Virtual Colonoscopy' Poses Little Radiation Risk

Filed in archive Diagnostics, Methodologies and Instrumentation , Diagnostics, Methodologies and Instrumentation on July 11, 2005

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In the July issue of Gastroenterology, researchers at the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University Medical Center in New York reported that the radiation risk from CT scans of the colon, or 'virtual colonoscopy' does not significantly increase cancer risk. In 50-yr old patients, the estimated lifetime cancer risk as a result of the X-rays emitted during CT colonography is about 0.14%; in 70-yr olds, the risk is estimated at 0.022%.

"Our study shows that radiation risks associated with virtual colonoscopy are relatively small -- much smaller, for example, than for CT-based lung cancer screening," study leader David J. Brenner said. Given its low risk, he described virtual colonoscopy as a very promising technology "which could potentially increase patient compliance with current guidelines for colorectal cancer screening."

Read the American Gastroenterological Association news release here.