[Retrospective, comparative study of colonoscopy and irrigoscopy as primary screening for colonic neoplasm suspects].

The diagnostic value of large bowel cancer by endoscopy (796 cases) and X-ray procedures (109) has been compared. A statistical analysis has established colonoscopy to be a more informative and safer procedure to be used in primary examination of patients with "bowel complaints". Irrigoscopy for primary tumor should be recommended for elderly patients with pronounced cardio-vascular and pulmonary pathology.