Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

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Fecal occult blood test

Stool occult blood test

A "negative" test result is usual and is normal.

Positive test results may indicate the following:

• Bleeding esophageal varices
• Colon polyp or colon cancer
• Esophagitis
• Gastritis
• GI (gastrointestinal) trauma
• GI tumor
• Hemorrhoids
• Fissures (cracks around the anus)
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Peptic ulcer
• Complications of recent GI surgery
• Angiodysplasia of the colon

Note that false positives are common.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed include the following:

• Colon cancer screening
• Evaluation of anemia

Review Date: 10/18/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA.Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.