Der Internist
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Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Colorectal cancer commonly develops slowly via adenomatous polyps, a process usually requiring ≥ 10 years. This allows for early detection. ⋯ Colon contrast enema is no longer recommended for screening. As colonoscopy serves as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool and is the reference method in hemoccult and sigmoidoscopy studies, it is viewed as the gold standard for the diagnosis of colonic disease. New methods including capsule colonoscopy and virtual colonoscopy have great potential but are currently not recommended for early detection of colonic neoplasia.
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A 70-year-old man presented with subacute dyspnea, cough, weight loss, and mild fever. Blood analysis revealed an elevated C-reactive protein level. Chest x-ray and CT of the chest showed alveolar opacities with a migratory tendency during the clinical course. After extensive diagnostics, treatment with prednisolone under the presumed diagnosis of a cryptogenic organizing pneumonia was started, which lead to a rapid clinical response.