What are the examination methods for colon cancer

Many people have almost no obvious symptoms in the early stages of colon cancer. Even if there are symptoms, they are relatively mild and often ignored. This can easily delay the discovery of the disease and is not conducive to treatment. Today, let's take a look at the common diagnostic methods for colon cancer.

Therefore, patients older than middle age should be alert when they have the following symptoms and consider the possibility of colon cancer: ① recent changes in bowel habits (such as constipation, diarrhea, or difficulty in defecation), persistent abdominal discomfort, dull pain, or bloating; ② stools become thinner, or contain blood and mucus; ③ fecal occult blood test is persistently positive; ④ unexplained anemia, fatigue, or weight loss; ⑤ a palpable mass in the abdomen.

When the above suspicious phenomena occur, in addition to further medical history inquiry and physical examination, the following systematic examinations should be performed immediately to confirm the diagnosis.

(I) Anal digital examination and rectal endoscopy

Check for rectal polyps, rectal cancer, internal hemorrhoids or other lesions for identification.

(ii) Sigmoidoscopy and fiber colonoscopy

Although the sigmoidoscope is 25 cm long, 75% of colorectal cancers are within the scope of the sigmoidoscope. Microscopic examination can not only detect cancer, but also observe its size, location and local infiltration range. Through the sigmoidoscope, tissue can be taken for pathological examination. Fiber colonoscopy can provide a higher diagnosis rate and has been widely used in China. Skilled operators can insert the fiber colonoscope into the cecum and terminal ileum, and can also take pictures. It is indeed an ideal examination method.

(III) X-ray examination

1. Abdominal plain film examination is suitable for cases with acute intestinal obstruction, which can show that the colon above the obstruction site is inflated and swollen.

2. Barium enema examination shows that the intestinal wall at the site of cancer is rigid, with poor distensibility, peristalsis weakened or disappeared at the lesion, irregular or disappeared colonic bag shape, narrow intestinal cavity, disordered, destroyed or disappeared mucosal folds, filling defects, etc. Barium-air double contrast radiography is more helpful in diagnosing pedunculated tumors in the colon.

(IV) Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test

It has little diagnostic value for early cases, but it is helpful in predicting prognosis and judging recurrence.

This is the end of the colon cancer examination methods that I have introduced to you. If you have symptoms similar to those of colon cancer patients, you must choose the appropriate examination method and make the correct diagnosis. This is a manifestation of being responsible for your physical and mental health.