How do doctors check you for colon cancer?

7 Comments

1. ray says:

   September 28, 2009 at 8:55 pm

   They give you some liquid to take prior to test to clean up your colon.Then they would give you something so you would not feel anything when they insert a tube through your rectum,but before that do that they air up your colon so the tube would go in easily.If they found something they would take it out with the instrument that is on tip of the tube..
2. Joseph Stalin says:

   September 28, 2009 at 8:55 pm

   Well I think they’d do a colonoscopy. My sister had something like that, she’s okay now. I wouldn’t worry yourself too much. I believe it’s very treatable, and you probably don’t even have it- as it is uncommon in women.
3. Val says:

   September 28, 2009 at 8:55 pm

   Digital rectal examination, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) imaging and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations are the three methods most widely used. Most commonly used is the PSA. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. PSA is released into a man’s blood by his prostate gland. Healthy men have low amounts of PSA in the blood. The amount of PSA in the blood normally increases as a man’s prostate enlarges with age. PSA may increase because of inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis) or prostate cancer.Treatment options for early-stage disease include radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and watchful waiting (no immediate treatment).

   There is no easy answer regarding cost. That would depend on the stage and where you go for screening and treatment. If your PSA came back high, they would test further. If you did end up having prostate cancer, the recommendations would also depend on your stage of disease.
4. Jayaraman says:

   September 28, 2009 at 8:55 pm

   If your signs and symptoms indicate that you could have colon cancer, your doctor may recommend one of more tests and procedures, including:

   1.Using a scope to examine the inside of your colon. Colonoscopy uses a long, flexible and slender tube attached to a video camera and monitor to view your entire colon and rectum. If any suspicious areas are found, your doctor can pass surgical tools through the tube to take tissue samples (biopsies) for analysis.

   2.Using dye and X-rays to make a picture of your colon. A barium enema allows your doctor to evaluate your entire colon with an X-ray. Barium, a contrast dye, is placed into your bowel in an enema form. During a double-contrast barium enema, air also is added. The barium fills and coats the lining of the bowel, creating a clear silhouette of your rectum, colon and sometimes a small portion of your small intestine.

   3. Using multiple CT images to create a picture of your colon. Virtual colonoscopy combines multiple computerized tomography (CT) images to create a detailed picture of the inside of your colon. If you’re unable to undergo colonoscopy, your doctor may recommend virtual colonoscopy.

   4. Earlier and initially by conducting Blood tests. Your doctor may order blood tests to better understand what may be causing your signs and symptoms, but there are no blood tests that can detect colon cancer. Blood tests may include a complete blood count and organ-function tests. -

   A. With the test results of the above the doctor will confirm if you have colorectal cancer and advice you for further treatment planning depending of various conditions.

   Costwise it vary from contry to contry and unless we know where do you stay it is difficult to tell. This one you have to find out locally from an Onclogist or Oncology hospital.

   Generally as done for most of the cancers you will have to undergo treatments viz. Surgery, Chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The quantum of cycles of these treatments will be decided again on the basis of seviarity of your disease. -

   Please do not worry for the expesnes. You have to carry on the treatments suggested by the Oncologist and try to cure the disease as CANCER IS STILL AN ENIGMA -
5. N says:

   September 28, 2009 at 8:55 pm

   I think Val is confused between the colon and the prostate!
   Colon cancer screening can be done with a fecal occult blood test (checking for blood in the stool). If this is positive then a more invasive test like a colonoscopy is done in which a tube is inserted into the colon to look for masses and biopsies can be taken of abnormal areas. These tests are recommended for screening in those over 50 or before that if there is a strong family history of colon cancer.
   Treatment of colon cancer includes surgical resection of the tumor plus or minus chemotherapy. If caught early the prognosis can be quite good.
6. Ann F says:

   September 28, 2009 at 8:55 pm

   I had a colonoscopy last year. I had one polyp that was cut off-no cancer like most polyps. The test itself was over before I even knew it had begun and painless; the preparation (fasting etc.) the day before was much worse.
   There is now a virtual colonoscopy on mayoclinic.com and much information.
   Don’t dwell on cancer until you know much. I don’t know about the cost but call the place you will have it done and ask them. Also, tell your doctor about your concern; he/she might have some suggestions.

   Got to mayoclinic.com, click on diseases and conditions, and then the letter "C" for colon cancer.
   Here is some of the info. If you keep looking here, you can find out about treatment, causes, prevention, etc.

   Definition
   By Mayo Clinic staff
   Colon cancer
   Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last several inches of the colon. Together, they’re often referred to as colorectal cancers.

   Most cases of colon cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Over time some of these polyps become colon cancers.

   Polyps may be small and produce few, if any, symptoms. For this reason, doctors recommend regular screening tests to help prevent colon cancer by identifying polyps before they become colon cancer.

   Treatments and drugs
   By Mayo Clinic staff
   Colectomy
   Colostomy
   The type of treatment your doctor recommends will depend largely on the stage of your cancer. The three primary treatment options are: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

   Surgery for early-stage colon cancer
   If your cancer is small, localized in a polyp and in a very early stage, your doctor may be able to remove it completely during a colonoscopy. If the pathologist determines that the cancer in the polyp doesn’t involve the base — where the polyp is attached to the bowel wall — then there’s a good chance that the cancer has been completely eliminated.

   Some larger polyps may be removed using laparoscopic surgery. In this procedure, your surgeon performs the operation through several small incisions in your abdominal wall, inserting instruments with attached cameras that display your colon on a video monitor. He or she may also take samples from lymph nodes in the area where the cancer is located.

   Surgery for invasive colon cancer
   If your colon cancer has grown into or through your colon, your surgeon may recommend a colectomy to remove the part of your colon that contains the cancer, along with a margin of normal tissue on either side of the cancer. Nearby lymph nodes are usually also removed and tested for cancer.

   Your surgeon is often able to reconnect the healthy portions of your colon or rectum. But when that’s not possible, for instance if the cancer is at the outlet of your rectum, you may need to have a permanent or temporary colostomy. This involves creating an opening in the wall of your abdomen from a portion of the remaining bowel for the elimination of body waste into a special bag. Sometimes the colostomy is only temporary, allowing your colon or rectum time to heal after surgery. In some cases, however, the colostomy may be permanent.
   Hope for the best!
7. A Healthier Life Foundation says:

   September 28, 2009 at 8:55 pm

   I came across a couple of great cancer websites that might be able to answer your questions plus give treatment options:

   http://forthefightagainstcancer.webs.com
   http://www.topix.com/cancer

   Hope this helps!