Diagnosis of Colon Cancer

Diagnosis of any disease on time is very important it increase the survival rate of a patient. If colon cancer is diagnosed at the first stage then the chances of the cure are increased but if colon cancer is detected at fourth stage, then it may be difficult to treat.

There are some diagnostic tests to detect colon cancer as follow,

Barium enema

White coloured barium liquid is inserted in to the colon from anus
Barium is inserted by using catheter so that whole bowel will be completely filled by the solution
X-ray photographs are taken to see in which outline or border the colon can be seen very clearly
In this test any problem in the anatomy of colon can be detected
If there is formation of the polyp or tumor in colon tissue, then it can be detected in early stage also
Any dilation or abnormal colon movement can be detected in this test

Colonoscopy

Colonoscope is a flexible thin tube like instrument useful in taking pictures of the colon and rectum
By using colonoscope we can directly see the inner part of the colon on the video monitor
If doctor finds any polyp or cancerous tissues then by using colonoscope tissue, sample can be collect and send to the pathologist for further study and diagnosis
Pathologist studies the tissue sample under microscope and identifies whether tissue is cancerous or not

X-ray of chest

There may be possibility of the disease spreading to the other organs like lung and liver
To detect the spread of disease, the chest of the patient is exposed to the radiations like X-rays or gamma rays

Ultrasonography

Ultra sound creates waves of sound which are inserted on the inner organs of the body
The sound waves reflect after scattering with the organ
The reflected sound waves form pictures of the organ in terms of shadow
This test is useful in finding fluid filled or solid spaces
The patient suffering from colon cancer shows lump or tumor in the colon tissue

Computerized Axial Tomography (CT scan)

By using X-rays and computer, we can get the images in cross sections
This test is useful for taking images of the internal organ in different angles
From this test we can clearly detect the formation of the polyp and the tumor in the tissue of the colon

Blood test

Inside cancerous cell, carcinoembryonic antigens are seen
If person is suffering from colon cancer then this test is useful to identify the presence of the tumor marker in the blood
In both type of colon cancers i.e. benign as well as malignant this tumor marker is present

Examination of the stool

In colon cancer blood passes from the stool, sometimes blood may not be seen in the stool.
In such condition, examination of the stool under microscope can give correct result

Direct examination of the rectum

In this test, the physician examines the rectum directly
He/she observes the area near to the anus, if there is any redness or rashes then he/she may check inside the rectum by putting finger with lubricant
If there is any abnormality or tumor then physician can recognize it easily and advice the patient to go through the other diagnostic testes
This test is not perfect test for detecting colon cancer but at primary level doctor can use it along with asking questions regarding the symptoms patient is facing