Colon Cancer Test
Published on Mar 20 2010, in the categories: Early detection
Because the early detection of colon cancer is very important, today there are a serial of colon cancer tests that can detect the disease as soon at it had its first symptoms. The most common ones are colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, barium enema and biopsy
The colonoscopy is the colon cancer test that provides the possibility of examining the colon using a flexible tube that has a camera and a light tied at on end. The camera is tied to a computer and so, with the inside scan that the colonoscope provides, the images can be seen on the computer screen by doctors. The colonoscope can also be used to take a biopsy sample from the inside tissue of the colon. The intervention can also remove polyps if there are found any, using a wire loop attachment on the colonoscope. This procedure can take for about one to two hours. After the intervention, patents can feel some pain, but if so they usually get medications. A colonoscopy every ten years is recommended for over 50 years old patients who have no special risk in getting colon cancer.
The sigmoidoscopy is the procedure in which the large intestine, rectum and sigmoid colon is examined using a tube with a lens and a light source on one end. The doctor looks form the other end of the scope to be able to see inside the colon and search for cancer, polyps, and other abnormal growths or evolutions. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes and it is recommended for individual over 50 years old to do one intervention every three to five years.
The barium enema or the lower gastrointestinal serial is a special type of X-ray that uses barium sulfate and air to outline the lining of the rectum and colon. The substance provides the possibility to see if abnormal growths have been developed inside the individual by appearing as dark silhouettes or patterns along the intestinal lining on the X-ray. The procedure takes for about 45 minutes and it is recommended once every five to ten years if colonoscopy is not performed at patients that have no special risk in getting colon cancer.
The biopsy is a procedure that requires the extraction of a small sample of cells or tissues that will then be examined under a microscope. The sample can be also taken in the colonoscopy procedure. The biopsy usually is used to diagnose cancer or estimate how far cancer has spread.
However, other new colon cancer tests like blood analyze and a simple stool samples are now more common and they can be effective in searching for abnormal cells. This will make, in the future, the detecting of colon cancer more easy because it will be done at simple annually analyzes and medical checks.
The colonoscopy is the colon cancer test that provides the possibility of examining the colon using a flexible tube that has a camera and a light tied at on end. The camera is tied to a computer and so, with the inside scan that the colonoscope provides, the images can be seen on the computer screen by doctors. The colonoscope can also be used to take a biopsy sample from the inside tissue of the colon. The intervention can also remove polyps if there are found any, using a wire loop attachment on the colonoscope. This procedure can take for about one to two hours. After the intervention, patents can feel some pain, but if so they usually get medications. A colonoscopy every ten years is recommended for over 50 years old patients who have no special risk in getting colon cancer.
The sigmoidoscopy is the procedure in which the large intestine, rectum and sigmoid colon is examined using a tube with a lens and a light source on one end. The doctor looks form the other end of the scope to be able to see inside the colon and search for cancer, polyps, and other abnormal growths or evolutions. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes and it is recommended for individual over 50 years old to do one intervention every three to five years.
The barium enema or the lower gastrointestinal serial is a special type of X-ray that uses barium sulfate and air to outline the lining of the rectum and colon. The substance provides the possibility to see if abnormal growths have been developed inside the individual by appearing as dark silhouettes or patterns along the intestinal lining on the X-ray. The procedure takes for about 45 minutes and it is recommended once every five to ten years if colonoscopy is not performed at patients that have no special risk in getting colon cancer.
The biopsy is a procedure that requires the extraction of a small sample of cells or tissues that will then be examined under a microscope. The sample can be also taken in the colonoscopy procedure. The biopsy usually is used to diagnose cancer or estimate how far cancer has spread.
However, other new colon cancer tests like blood analyze and a simple stool samples are now more common and they can be effective in searching for abnormal cells. This will make, in the future, the detecting of colon cancer more easy because it will be done at simple annually analyzes and medical checks.
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