Colon Cancer Diagnosis

A colon cancer diagnosis can be obtained after different types of tests. Usually these tests are ordered after you experience symptoms related to colon cancer. Alternatively, colon cancer diagnostic tests can be ordered after an abnormal colonoscopy.

The Signs Of Colon Cancer

If you are in the early stages of colon cancer you may not have any symptoms at all. It is only in the later stages of colon cancer that symptoms can show up. Some of these late symptoms include weight loss, abdominal cramping or blood in the stool. To arrive at a colon cancer diagnosis your doctor will normally order one of these five tests. These tests are- colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, barium enema, stool test or virtual colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy uses an endoscope to examine the colon. An endoscope is a tube that can bend as it passes through the folds of the colon. At the end of this tube is a fiber optic or CCD camera. The camera is passed through the anus and into the colon. The doctor is looking for polyps or ulcerations that might be indicative of colon cancer. If a polyp is found, it can be removed.

Virtual Colonoscopy

Virtual colonoscopy is another method of colon cancer diagnosis. CT or MR scans are done that do not involve invading the body. From these scans a picture of the colon is built on a computer screen. The colon model can be constructed in either 2D or 3D. If a polyp is detected then a colonoscopy is scheduled to remove the polyp.

Sigmoidoscopy

Another option for colon cancer diagnosis is a sigmoidoscopy. While a colonoscopy covers the whole colon as well as the bottom portion of the small intestine, a sigmoidoscopy only looks at the last two portions of the colon. This diagnostic tool is used in patients who have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. This will prevent the bowel from being perforated if a colonoscopy was completed. Along with this test, a fecal occult blood test is done to test for cancer cells that might be coming from further up in the colon.

Stool Test

Fecal occult blood screening is a quick test for colon cancer diagnosis. Fecal cells are set as smears and viewed for blood and cancer cells. A slide smear showing only blood is indicative of several different illnesses from hemorrhoids to colon cancer. Therefore it is vital to follow up a positive test with a colonoscopy.

Barium Enema

A barium enema is another means of colon cancer diagnosis. Since its effectiveness depends on a clean colon it is recommended that a colon cleanse be completed leading up to the test. Barium sulfate is placed in the rectum and allowed to blow throughout the colon. An x-ray is taken and the colon is viewed for any abnormalities. If there are any irregularities a colonoscopy is usually ordered.

While there are many tests to help make a colon cancer diagnosis, the most effective exam is with the colonoscope. This is because the camera provides a live picture of the colon and if there are any polyps or other growths, they can be biopsied immediately. Usually the other tests are ordered if there is danger of the colonoscope perforating the intestinal wall. If one of these other tests show a high probability of a colon cancer diagnosis then a colonoscopy will probably be ordered.