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Colon Cancer Diagnosis: Two Major Tests And The Other Staging Tests

Colon cancer diagnosis may be the same as those of the examinations done with other colon problems. You have to undergo these tests to let you know the real score behind the disease. There are major tests which could be made while staging tests could also be conducted.

Colon cancer may not have a definite symptom associated to its occurrence. The manifestations are unusual since they are relatively the same with those felt with other digestive tract diseases. However, there are tests which could be done to help detect whether you are already a victim of the disease.

Major tests for colon cancer diagnosis

Doctor and patient with an x-ray Localizing or preventing the spread of tumors in the colon could be done through a series of tests. It may also confirm the symptoms you are feeling. You actually have two options to determine whether you have colon cancer or not and they are:

1. Barium enema x-rays. Also known as the lower GI series (GI means gastrointestinal), barium enema actually asks you to undergo a series of x-rays. The colon and the rectum are examined under the x-ray machine after you have taken enema. The enema used is not a simple water-based solution or the coffee enema for colon cleansing. This test uses enema which have been extracted from a clear and crumbly fluid which has barium in it. The indications that you have colon cancer are shown by the barium as it draws the large intestines on the x-ray plates. The dark shadows found on the background are manifestations of tumors and other intestinal abnormalities.

2. Colonoscopy. This procedure involves insertion of a long and flexible tube inside the rectum. This is done to give your doctors a clearer picture of what is found inside your colon. This is said to be better than barium x-rays since it could detect even the smallest polyps that could occur within the organ. What makes it even more favorable than the first step is that the colonoscope could help in the removal of the polyps which will later on be turned over to the pathologist. This will help the latter assess whether the polyps has cancer cells in it.

The staging tests for colon cancer

Should the samples taken from the colonoscope or the results found from barium x-rays show that you have colon cancer, biopsies could be taken. This is a procedure wherein a sample of a tissue is removed for further laboratory examination. They are tested under the microscope to confirm the result given by the diagnosis.

After confirmation given by the biopsy outcome, staging tests are necessary. This will help detect whether the cancer cells have divided and reached other organs of the body. It is a fact that colon cancer may affect the lungs and the liver thus a series of examinations should again be conducted.

You could be recommended for chest x-rays, ultrasound (ultrasonography), or the so-called CAT scan. These procedures could help distinguish any cancer spread in the abdomen, liver and lungs. In some instances, your doctor may also require blood tests for carcinoembyonic antigen (CEA). This is a substance which comes from the emergence of cancer cells. This is an ultimate test which could help rule out or intensify the truth behind the spread of colorectal cancer.

Tags: barium enema x-rays, cancer cells, colon cancer colorectal cancer, colon cancer diagnosis, colonoscope, colonoscopy

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