Would an abdominal and pelvic CT scan detect colon cancer and/or signs of inflammatory bowel disease?
I’ve had quite extensive testing –everything short of a colonoscopy– to try to diagnose the cause of persistent abdominal pain that started just under my right ribcage and radiating toward my back.
Sometimes there’s nausea and pain is more diffuse throughout my abdomen. I’ve had an ultrasound, abdominal CT scan, an upper endoscopy, blood tests, fecal blood tests, and a HIDA scan for the gallbladder. All normal.
At my wit’s end. I’m wondering if it’s something like Colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, which I understand from my research requires a colonoscopy to accurately diagnoses. Yet when I bring this point up to my doctor and to my gastroenterologist, they feel the test is unnecessary given the CT scan and other tests already done.
Who is right?
Tagged with: abdomen • blood tests • colon cancer • Colonoscopy • fecal blood • gallbladder • gastroenterologist • hida scan • inflammatory bowel disease • nausea • persistent abdominal pain • ribcage • ultrasound • wit
Filed under: Colon Health Questions
Denisedds (88)
Have the colonoscopy done because that will rule out any cancer or any other medical problem. I know that the thought of having the colonoscopy done is awful but I just had it done and it was actually the easiest test I have ever had done. You are asleep and it is over very quickly. I put off having one done and went through 3 abdominal surgeries before I had the procedure done. I wish I had done it first. Find a doctor that agrees with you about having the test done. Look for a colon specialist because they will understand how you feel and why you want the test done.
They are. A CT scan would show a growth or thickening in the wall of the colon. It can also show other abnormal areas in the abdomen.
Perhaps your pain is not caused by what you may suspect but may be neurologically related. Have your doctors considered this possiblity?
Hard to say. Did they say anything about your diet or what you are eating?
If this is the only doctor you’ve seen, go see another for another opinion if the problem is not going away.