Diagnostic Tests for Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer: Diagnostic Tests
The list of diagnostic tests
mentioned in various sources as
used in the diagnosis of Colorectal cancer
includes:
Colorectal cancer Tests: Book Excerpts
Home Diagnostic Testing
These home medical tests may be relevant to Colorectal cancer:
- Colon & Rectal Cancer: Home Testing
- Food Allergies & Intolerances: Home Testing:
- Cancer-Related Home Testing:
- Digestive-Related Home Testing:
Colorectal cancer Diagnosis: Book Excerpts
Tests and diagnosis discussion for Colorectal cancer:
Colorectal Cancer: NWHIC (Excerpt)
Screening tests and recommendations for how often you should have each
test include:
-
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) - checks for hidden blood
in the stool. Sometimes cancers or polyps can bleed and this test is
used to pick up small amounts of bleeding. Have this test every year.
-
Flexible sigmoidoscopy - an exam where a health care
provider looks at the rectum and the lower part of the colon using a
sigmoidoscope, a tube with a light on the end. Have this test
every 5 years.
-
Colonoscopy - an exam when a health care provider looks at
the rectum and the entire colon using a colonoscope, an instrument with
a light on the end. If polyps are found, they can be removed. Have this
test every 5 to 10 years.
-
Double contrast barium enema (DCBE) - a series of x-rays
of the colon and rectum. You are first given an enema with barium in it,
which outlines the colon and rectum on the x-rays. Have this test every
5 to 10 years (only if not having a colonoscopy every 10 years).
-
Digital rectal exam - a health care provider inserts a
lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for any problem areas.
Have this test every 5 to 10 years at the time of other screening tests
(flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or DCBE).
(Source: excerpt from
Colorectal Cancer: NWHIC)
What You Need To Know About Cancer - An Overview: NCI (Excerpt)
A number of screening tests are
used to find colon and rectal (colorectal) cancer. If a
person is over the age of 50 years, has a family medical
history of colorectal cancer, or has any other risk factors
for colorectal cancer, a doctor may suggest one or more of
these tests.
Sometimes tumors in the colon or rectum can bleed. The fecal
occult blood test checks for small amounts of blood
in the stool.
The doctor sometimes uses a thin, lighted tube called a
sigmoidoscope
to examine the rectum and lower colon. Or, to examine the
entire colon and rectum, a lighted instrument called a colonoscope
is used. If abnormal areas are seen, tissue can be removed
and examined under a microscope.
A barium
enema is a series of x-rays of the colon and rectum.
The patient is given an enema with a solution that contains
barium, which outlines the colon and rectum on the
x-rays.
A digital
rectal exam is an exam in which the doctor inserts a
lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for
abnormal areas. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Cancer - An Overview: NCI)
What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Colon and Rectum: NCI (Excerpt)
The doctor may suggest one or more of the
tests listed below. These tests are used to detect polyps,
cancer, or other abnormalities, even when a person does not
have symptoms. Your health care provider can explain more
about each test.
-
A fecal
occult blood test (FOBT) is a test used to check
for hidden blood in the stool. Sometimes cancers or polyps
can bleed, and FOBT is used to detect small amounts of
bleeding.
-
A sigmoidoscopy
is an examination of the rectum and lower colon
(sigmoid colon) using a lighted instrument called a sigmoidoscope .
-
A colonoscopy
is an examination of the rectum and entire colon
using a lighted instrument called a colonoscope .
-
A double contrast barium
enema (DCBE) is a series of x-rays of the colon
and rectum. The patient is given an enema with a solution
that contains barium, which outlines the colon and rectum on
the x-rays.
-
A digital
rectal exam (DRE) is an exam in which the doctor
inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel
for abnormal areas.
(Source: excerpt from
What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Colon and Rectum: NCI)
What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Colon and Rectum: NCI (Excerpt)
To help find the cause of symptoms, the doctor evaluates a
person's medical history. The doctor also performs a physical
exam and may order one or more diagnostic tests.
-
X-rays
of the large intestine, such as the DCBE, can reveal polyps
or other changes.
-
A sigmoidoscopy lets the doctor see inside the
rectum and the lower colon and remove polyps or other
abnormal tissue for examination under a microscope.
-
A colonoscopy lets the doctor see inside the
rectum and the entire colon and remove polyps or
other abnormal tissue for examination under a microscope.
-
A polypectomy is the removal of a polyp during a
sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
-
A biopsy
is the removal of a tissue sample for examination under a
microscope by a pathologist to make a diagnosis.
(Source: excerpt from
What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Colon and Rectum: NCI)
Diagnosis of Colorectal cancer: medical news summaries:
The following medical news items
are relevant to diagnosis of Colorectal cancer:
Diagnostic Tests for Colorectal cancer: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the diagnostic tests for Colorectal cancer.
RECTAL PAIN:
DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
(Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
Routine diagnostic studies include a CBC, sedimentation rate, urinalysis, chemistry panel, VDRL test, anoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and barium enema. In females, a pregnancy test and vaginal smear and culture should be done. Ultimately, culdocentesis, pelvic ultrasound, and laparoscopy may be necessary, but a gynecologist should be consulted before considering these tests. In males, prostatic massage may yield a urethral discharge for smear and culture. An intravenous pyelogram or cystoscopy with retrograde pyelography may also be helpful.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, 2003
RECTAL DISCHARGE:
DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
(Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
Routine laboratory tests include a CBC, sedimentation rate, urinalysis, chemistry panel, and smear and culture of the discharge. A Frei test may be necessary to rule out lymphogranuloma venereum. Sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and a barium enema may be needed in selected cases. A proctologist or gastroenterologist should be consulted in difficult diagnostic problems. If there are abnormalities on the neurologic examination, a neurologist should be consulted.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, 2003
RECTAL MASS:
DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
(Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
Routine laboratory tests include a CBC, sedimentation rate, and urinalysis. A smear and culture should be made of any rectal or vaginal discharge. Most cases will be diagnosed by anoscopy and proctoscopy. A pelvic ultrasound and CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis may be useful in evaluating ectopic pregnancy and other gynecologic disorders. Ultrasound of the prostate may also be done to evaluate a prostatic mass. A gynecologist, proctologist, or urologist should be consulted in difficult cases.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, 2003
Rectal pain:
History and physical examination
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
If the patient reports rectal pain, inspect the area for bleeding; abnormal drainage, such as pus; or protrusions, such as skin tags or thrombosed hemorrhoids. Also, check for inflammation and other lesions. A rectal examination may be necessary.
After the examination, proceed with your evaluation by taking the patient’s history. Ask him to describe the pain. Is it sharp or dull, burning or knifelike? How often does it occur? Ask if the pain is worse during or immediately after defecation. Does the patient avoid having bowel movements because of anticipated pain? Find out what alleviates the pain.
Make sure to ask appropriate questions about the development of associated signs and symptoms. For example, does the patient experience bleeding along with rectal pain? If so, find out how frequently this occurs and whether the blood appears on the toilet tissue, on the surface of the stool, or in the toilet bowl. Is the blood bright or dark red? Also, ask whether the patient has noticed other drainage, such as mucus or pus, and whether he’s experiencing constipation or diarrhea. Ask when he last had a bowel movement. Obtain a dietary history.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Rectal pain:
History and physical examination
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
If your patient reports rectal pain, inspect the area for bleeding; abnormal drainage such as pus; or protrusions, such as skin tags or thrombosed hemorrhoids. Check for inflammation and other lesions. A rectal examination may be necessary.
After examination, proceed with your evaluation by taking the patient’s history. Ask the patient to describe the pain. Is it sharp or dull, burning or knifelike? How often does it occur? Ask if the pain is worse during or immediately after defecation. Does the patient avoid having bowel movements because of anticipated pain? Find out what alleviates the pain.
Be sure to ask appropriate questions about the development of any associated signs and symptoms. For example, does the patient experience bleeding along with rectal pain? If so, find out how frequently this occurs and whether the blood appears on the toilet tissue, on the surface of the stool, or in the toilet bowl. Is the blood bright or dark red? Ask whether the patient has noticed other drainage, such as mucus or pus, and whether he’s experiencing constipation or diarrhea. Ask when he last had a bowel movement. Obtain a dietary history.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Rectal Pain:
Diagnostic Approach
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)
Tenesmus is a painful urge to defecate with little result.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis, 2007
Rectal pain:
Physical assessment
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Inspect the rectal area for bleeding; abnormal drainage such as pus; or protrusions, such as skin tags or thrombosed hemorrhoids. Also, check for inflammation and other lesions. A rectal examination may be necessary.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Rectal pain:
History and physical examination
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
Begin by taking the patient's history. Ask him to describe the pain. Is it sharp or dull, burning or knifelike? How often does it occur? Ask if the pain is worse during or immediately after defecation. Does the patient avoid having bowel movements because of anticipated pain? Find out what alleviates the pain.
Be sure to ask appropriate questions about the development of associated signs and symptoms. For example, does the patient experience bleeding along with rectal pain? If so, find out how frequently this occurs and whether the blood appears on the toilet tissue, on the surface of the stools, or in the toilet bowl. Is the blood bright or dark red? Also, ask whether the patient has noticed other drainage, such as mucus or pus, and whether he's experiencing constipation or diarrhea. Ask when he last had a bowel movement. Obtain a dietary and drug history.
Then inspect the rectal area for bleeding; abnormal drainage, such as pus; or protrusions, such as skin tags or thrombosed hemorrhoids. Also, check for inflammation and other lesions. A rectal examination may be necessary.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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