Definition
A fecal immunochemical test for hemoglobin is a test designed to detect hemoglobin in feces using an antibody raised against human hemoglobin. It is one of a class of technologies referred to as fecal occult blood test (FOBT).
Characteristics
Fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) incorporate an antibody specific for human hemoglobin; such react with the globin protein moiety of hemoglobin.
Fate of Hemoglobin in the Gastrointestinal Tract
The globin moiety of hemoglobin is a protein and as such is rapidly digested in stomach or small intestine such that it is no longer detectable by immunochemical methods. Ingestion of blood volumes of up to 100 mL has not resulted in detectable immunoreactive hemoglobin in feces, based on reports using some of the earlier types of FIT. In other words, FIT are selective for colorectal bleeding, especially where the bleeding...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Allison JE, Tekawa IS, Ransom LJ et al (1996) A comparison of fecal-occult blood tests for colorectal-cancer screening. N Engl J Med 334:155–159
Cole SR, Young GP, Esterman A et al (2003) A randomized trial of the impact of new fecal hemoglobin test technologies on population participation in screening for colorectal cancer. J Med Screen 10:117–122
Levi Z, Rozen P, Hazazi R et al (2007) A quantitative immunochemical fecal occult blood test for colorectal neoplasia. Ann Intern Med 146:244–255
Smith A, Young GP, Cole SR et al (2006) Comparison of a brush-sampling fecal immunochemical test for hemoglobin with a sensitive guaiac-based fecal occult blood test in detection of colorectal neoplasia. Cancer 107:2152–2159
Young GP, Macrae FA, St John DJB (1996) Clinical methods for early detection: basis, use and evaluation. In: Young GP, Rozen P, Levin B (eds) Prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer. WB Saunders, London, pp 241–270
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
Young, G.P. (2011). Fecal Immunochemical Test. In: Schwab, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Cancer. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16483-5_2138
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16483-5_2138
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-16482-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-16483-5
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences