The present day status of colonic exfoliative cytology and the indications for the procedure when distinguishing between malignant and non‐malignant appearing ladiologic lesions are discussed here. This technique maintains an 80 to 85% diagnostic cancer accuracy rate. Certain misconceptions concerning size and location of colonic tumors, and their ability to be detected by exfoliation methods, are dispelled. The impending problem of nationwide inadequacy of gastrointestinal exfoliative units is presented in relationship to the management of patients with serologically positive blood tests for cancer and normal barium enema.
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