Clinical Chemistry II Practice Test

What is the reported accuracy of multitarget stool DNA testing for detecting colorectal cancer?

92% 70% 90% 95%

Correct Answer:

92%

Explanation:

A multitarget stool DNA test is designed to detect colorectal cancer by combining DNA methylation markers with occult blood testing, boosting the signal from cancer in stool. The figure most often reported for its ability to detect colorectal cancer is about 92% sensitivity, meaning it correctly identifies roughly 92 of 100 cancers in screening populations. This level of sensitivity is higher than many single-marker stool tests, though the test’s specificity sits in the mid-80s, so there are some false positives. So the commonly cited accuracy for detecting colorectal cancer with this test is 92%.

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