| Interventions |
This study was conducted with two distinct groups of participants: 1. Patients presenting colorectal symptoms (outpatient group) 2. Patients with clinical diagnosis of colorectal malignancies This pilot study did not follow a case-control pattern; the two groups were enrolled for different purposes. The outpatient group provided samples for prospective analysis of DNA scores in individuals with a range of colorectal conditions. Investigation of the known cancer group addressed possible differences between tumours of the proximal and distal colon. Interventions: Samples of exfoliated cells were collected from the surface of rectal mucosa using proctoscopy and a short (10 sec) inflation in the rectal cavity of a cell-collecting balloon. The procedure was minimally invasive and was completed within five minutes. The collected samples were assessed for DNA contents. |