QdHPLC-PCR, which evaluates PCR amplicons of the same four genes used in the present study (APC, KRAS, p53 and BRAF) (14), exhibited a higher sensitivity (78.6%) and a marginally lower specificity (91.6%) for CRC screening when compared with the results of the present study (sensitivity, 56%; specificity, 96%) (P<0.0001). This evidence concerns the gene APC and colorectal carcinoma.