Abstract

Although exfoliative colonic cytology for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer has been largely abandoned due to the widespread use of colonoscopy, some authors still insiston the usefulness of colon lavage fluid. We tried evaluating the diagnostic feasibility of colon lavage fluid cytology using an orally administered balanced electrolyte solution. We collected colon lavage fluids in 106 patients prior to colonoscopy and reviewed the slides. Cytologic examination revealed neoplastic cells in 7 of 16(44%) cases of endoscopically proven adenocarcinoma patients. Therefore, we think cytologic study of colon lavage fluid may be considered as one of the noninvasive diagnostic tools in colorectal cancer.

• Keywords: Colon cancer;Lavage fluid cytology;