Tests that examine the rectum, rectal tissue, and blood are used to find and
diagnose colorectal cancer. The following methods are used:
Physical exam- The doctor
does a general health check and looks for anything abnormal.
Fecal occult blood test- A
laboratory test of a stool sample to check for blood not visible to the
naked eye.
Digital exam- An examination
by the doctor with a gloved and lubricated finger.
Barium enema (also known as a
“lower GI series”)-Barium is a silver-white metallic compound; it is added
to liquid and put into the rectum. The lower intestinal tract is coated by
the barium and a series of x-rays are taken.
Sigmoidoscopy- A thin,
lighted tube called a simoidoscope is inserted into the sigmoid colon to
look for anything abnormal. Tissue samples may be harvested.
Colonoscopy- An instrument
similar to the sigmoidoscope is inserted in order to look inside the
rectum and colon.
Biopsy- Harvested cells
retrieved from the other procedures are observed beneath a microscope.
Doppler Ultrasound- The
ultrasound measures the blood flow from the artery to the liver, as well
as the total liver flow.
Stages
Before a treatment plan can be created or a prognosis suggested, the stage
of the cancer must be determined. It is judged on whether the cancer is in the
inner lining of the colon only, involves the whole colon, or has spread to
other organs. The following tests and procedures are used for “staging” the
cancer:
Computerized Tomography (CT
or CT scan) - Detailed images are created from X-ray transmissions via a
data-synthesizing computer. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed
whole to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRJ)
- The MRI uses a magnetic field instead of X-rays. Unlike the CT, there is
no radiation involved and the MRI provides better pictures of tumors near
the bone.
Lymph node biopsy-the removal
of all or part of a lymph node for observation under a microscope.
Chest X-ray- An X-ray is a
picture of the bones and organs on the inside of the chest, taken with a
machine with an energy beam that can go through the body and onto film.
Complete blood count (CBC)-
Blood is checked for the number of red blood cells, white blood cells,
platelets, hemoglobin (oxygen-carrying protein), and the percentage of red
cells in comparison to the rest.
Carcinoembryonic antigem
(CEA) - Also a blood test, CEA is released into the bloodstream by healthy
and cancerous cells. Elevated amounts can be a sign of colon cancer.
Surgery- the doctor goes into
your body to remove the tumor and to inspect the other organs to see if it
has spread.