FECAL OCCULT BLOOD Meaning and
Definition
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Fecal occult blood refers to the presence of small amounts of blood in the feces that cannot be seen with the naked eye. It is also known as occult blood in stool or hidden blood in the stool. The term "fecal" denotes anything related to feces, which refers to the solid waste matter discharged from the intestines through the anus.
The presence of occult blood in the stool is usually an indication of bleeding occurring somewhere in the digestive tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), rectum, and anus. The blood may come from various sources, such as bleeding ulcers, polyps, hemorrhoids, colon cancer, or abnormal blood vessel formations. Fecal occult blood is typically tested using specialized chemical tests that can detect traces of blood in the stool that are not visible to the naked eye.
The detection of fecal occult blood is important in medical diagnostics, particularly in screening for colon cancer or identifying gastrointestinal bleeding. It can help healthcare professionals assess the need for further investigations, such as colonoscopy, to locate the source of the bleeding and determine the underlying cause. Regular screening for fecal occult blood is also recommended for individuals at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer or for those above a certain age.
