How colon cancers are diagnosed | Low Cost Colon Cancer Treatment in India

Diagnostic tests for colorectalcancer are usually done when:

• the symptoms of colorectal cancer are present
• the doctor suspects colorectal cancer after talking with a person about their health and completing a physical examination
• screening tests suggest a problem with the colon or rectum

Many of the same tests used to initially diagnose cancer are also used to determine the stage (how far the cancer has progressed). Your doctor may also order other tests to check your general health and to help plan your treatment. Tests may include the following.

Medical history and physical examination The medical history is a record of present symptoms, risk factors and all the medical events and problems a person has had in the past. The medical history of a person's family may also help the doctor to diagnose colorectal cancer. In taking a medical history, the doctor will ask questions about: a personal history of polyps in the colon or rectum inflammatory bowel disease colorectal cancer a family history of colorectal cancer familial adenomatous polyposis hereditary non-polyposis colorectal carcinoma (also known as Lynch syndrome) signs and symptoms Tumour marker tests Tumour markers are substances – usually proteins – in the blood that may indicate the presence of colorectal cancer. Tumour marker tests are used to check a person's response to cancer treatment, but they can also be used to diagnose colorectal cance Colonoscopy A colonoscopy is a procedure that lets the doctor look at the lining of the colon using a flexible tube with a light and lens on the end (an endoscope). A colonoscopy is preferred over a flexible sigmoidoscopy because the entire colon can be checked for polyps or abnormal areas. A colonoscopy is done in a hospital on an outpatient basis. The doctor gently inserts the colonoscope (a type of endoscope) through the anus and slowly moves it into the rectum and colon. The colon is inflated with air to stretch out the lining so the doctor can look at the entire surface. This can be uncomfortable, so drugs are given to help the person relax during the procedure. Biopsy During a biopsy, tissues or cells are removed from the body so they can be tested in a laboratory. The pathology report from the laboratory will confirm whether or not cancer cells are present in the sample and may also identify the type of cancer. A biopsy is the only definite way to diagnose colorectal cancer. Biopsies of polyps or abnormal areas are taken during a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. A biopsy sample will allow the doctor to find out the type of colorectal cancer and the grade. Biopsy results may also show how far the cancer has grown through the wall of the colon or rectum. Computed tomography (CT) scan A CT scan uses special x-ray equipment to make 3-dimensional and cross-sectional images of organs, tissues, bones and blood vessels inside the body. A computer turns the images into detailed pictures. It is used to: check if the cancer has spread to other organs in the abdomen or pelvis (small areas of spread [microscopic spread] may not be detected by CT scan) check if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the abdomen check how far the tumour has grown into the wall of the colon or, especially, the rectum CT-guided needle biopsy CT scans may also be used to help guide a needle to perform a biopsy (CT-guided needle biopsy) to check for cancer cells in a tumour in the colon or a suspected area of metastasis (cancer spread outside of the colon or rectum). Virtual colonoscopy Virtual colonoscopy uses a CT scan to create images of the colon without having to insert an endoscope through the rectum. A virtual colonoscopy is less invasive and more comfortable than a regular colonoscopy. Studies are continuing to examine the effectiveness of this test.  Ultrasound  Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of structures in the body. Endorectal ultrasound (EUS or ERUS) uses a special instrument (transducer) that is inserted into the rectum. It is used to see: how far a tumour has grown into the rectal wall if the tumour has spread to nearby organs or lymph nodes Abdominal ultrasound may be done to see if the cancer has spread to other organs in the abdomen, such as the liver. Pelvic ultrasound may be done if doctors suspect that the cancer has spread to the urinary tract. An ultrasound may also be used during abdominal surgery. The surgeon can place the transducer directly on the liver to check for metastases. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan A PET scan uses radioactive materials (radiopharmaceuticals) to detect changes in the metabolic activity of body tissues. A computer analyzes the radioactive patterns and makes 3-dimensional colour images of the area being scanned. PET scans are not routinely used to diagnose colorectal cancer. They are more commonly used to help stage and check for recurrent disease if a person's CEA level starts to rise following treatment. PET scans are not readily available at all centres. For more information visit:          http://www.medworldindia.com                             https://www.facebook.com/medworld.india Please scan and email your medical reports  to us at care@medworldindia.com and we shall get you a Free Medical Opinion from India’s Best Doctors. Call Us : +91-9811058159 Mail Us : care@medworldindia.com

Factors that may increase your risk of Colon Cancer

Causes and risk factors of colon and rectal cancer

Age : – About 90 percent of people diagnosed with colon cancer are older than 50. Colon cancer can occur in younger people, but it occurs much less frequently.

A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps : – If you’ve already had colon cancer or adenomatous polyps, you have a greater risk of colon cancer in the future.

Inflammatory intestinal conditions : – Long-standing inflammatory diseases of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, can increase your risk of colon cancer.

Inherited disorders that affect the colon : – Genetic syndromes passed through generations of your family can increase your risk of colon cancer. These syndromes cause only about 5 percent of all colon cancers. One genetic syndrome called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a rare disorder that causes you to develop thousands of polyps in the lining of your colon and rectum.

Whento seek medical advice

If you notice any symptoms of colon cancer, such as blood in your stool or a persistent change in bowel habits, see your doctor as soon as possible. Keep in mind that colorectal cancer can occur in younger as well as older people. If you’re at high risk, don’t wait until symptoms appear. See your doctor for regular screenings.

Talk to your doctor about when you should begin screening for colon cancer. Guidelines generally recommend colon cancer screenings begin at age 50. Your doctor may recommend more frequent or earlier screening if you have other risk factors, such as a family history of the disease.

Testsand diagnosis

Screening

Most colon cancers develop from adenomatous polyps. Screening can detect polyps before they become cancerous. Screening may also detect colon cancer in its early stages when there is a good chance for cure.

You may be embarrassed by the screening procedures, worried about discomfort or afraid of the results. Discuss your screening options and your concerns with your doctor. Most procedures are only moderately uncomfortable, and working with a doctor you like and trust can help ease your embarrassment…

Diagnosis 

If your doctor suspects you may have colon cancer based on your signs and symptoms, he or she may recommend colonoscopy to look for colon cancer. Colonoscopy allows your doctor to look for polyps or unusual areas in your colon. Your doctor can also remove a sample of tissue from your colon to look for cancer cells. In some cases, barium enema or flexible sigmoidoscopy may be used to diagnose colon cancer.

Treatments 

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 :Surgery is the mainstay of treatment and involves in block removal of diseased segment with adequate margins, surrounding tissue and lymph nodes. The names given to such resections are right hemicolectomy, transverse colectomy, left hemicolectomy, sigmoid colectomy, and subtotal colectomy:
• Polypectomy : If the cancer is found in a polyp (a small piece of bulging tissue), the polyp is often removed during a colonoscopy.
• Local excision : If the cancer is found on the inside surface of the rectum and has not spread into the wall of the rectum, the cancer and a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue is removed.
• Resection : If the cancer has spread into the wall of the rectum, the section of the rectum with cancer and nearby healthy tissue is removed. Sometimes the tissue between the rectum and the abdominal wall is also removed. The lymph nodes near the rectum are removed and checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.
• Pelvic exenteration : If the cancer has spread to other organs near the rectum, the lower colon, rectum, and bladder are removed.