Which tests can help diagnose the early symptoms of colorectal cancer

Early colorectal cancer is more curable, so if it can be detected early and treated actively, it can effectively prolong the patient's life and improve their quality of life. Clinically, the examination items that are helpful for diagnosing colorectal cancer and early symptoms of colorectal cancer include fiber colonoscopy, rectal digital examination, enema and double contrast examination of barium gas.

Fiber colonoscopy

The doctor inserts a 170-cm-long fiber colonoscope into the intestine from the anus, and can observe the entire colon with the naked eye to see if there is a mass and the location, size, and shape of the mass. A small amount of mass tissue can be clamped for tumor biopsy to determine whether it is cancer and the pathological type, providing a basis for formulating a treatment plan. This method can detect early symptoms of early colorectal cancer with a diameter of 1 cm or even less than 0.5 cm. Therefore, anyone with changes in bowel habits, unexplained lower gastrointestinal bleeding, and those over 40 years old should undergo a fiber colonoscopy examination once a year.

Digital rectal examination

Digital rectal examination is a special examination method for rectal cancer. The doctor uses his fingers to feel whether there are lumps and bleeding in the rectum. About 80% of rectal cancers can be "detected".

Enema and double contrast examination with barium

This method is suitable for people who cannot undergo colonoscopy. It can observe the general shape and spasm of the colon and rectum, and detect tiny cancer foci with a diameter of 0.5 cm in the large intestine. The early symptoms of intestinal cancer have a detection rate of 48% for sunken colorectal cancer and 73% for flat colorectal cancer. The disadvantage is that it cannot see subtle changes such as congestion and edema on the surface of the intestinal mucosa, cannot sample the lesion tissue or mucosa for examination, and residual fecal residue has a certain impact on diagnosis.