Therapy
for Colon Cancer
A physical examination rarely shows
any abnormalities, although an abdominal mass may be present. A rectal
examination may reveal a mass in patients with rectal cancer, but not
colon cancer. for it following scopy should be better.
Colonoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Chemotherapy
and immunotherapy
Fecal
Occult Blood Test
A fecal occult blood test
(FOBT) may detect small amounts of blood in the stool, a possible
indicator of colon cancer. However, this test is often negative in
patients with colon cancer. Not all polyps bleed, and not all polyps
bleed all the time. That is why a FOBT must be used with one of the
other more invasive screening measures, either colonoscopy or
sigmoidoscopy. Finally, a positive FOBT doesn't necessarily mean the
person has cancer -- "false positives" may be caused by some
medications and other factors.
A blood count may reveal evidence of
anemia with low iron levels. A CT scan may show an abdominal mass,
although this test is not very good at detecting colon cancer.
A fecal occult blood test detects blood in the stool by placing a
small sample of stool on a chemically treated card, pad, or wipe; then a
chemical developer solution is put on top of the sample. If the card, pad, or
cloth turns blue, there is blood in the stool.
Fecal occult blood may be done to evaluate some intestinal
conditions or to screen for
colorectal cancer, which affects the large intestine
and the
rectum. In the United States, colorectal cancer is the
second leading cause of all cancer deaths. Blood in the stool may be the only
symptom of colon cancer. However, not all blood in the stool is caused by
cancer. Other conditions that can cause blood in the stool include:
-
Hemorrhoids,
which are enlarged, swollen veins in the anus. Hemorrhoids can occur inside the
anus (internal hemorrhoids) or outside of the anus (external
hemorrhoids).
-
Anal fissures, which are narrow tears
that extends from the muscles that control the anus (anal sphincters) up into
the anal canal.
- Colon
polyps: small growths of excess tissue that often grow
on a stem or stalk.
-
Peptic ulcers, which are craterlike
sores that develop when the digestive juices produced by the stomach eat away
or erode the lining of the digestive tract.
-
Ulcerative
colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes
inflammation and craterlike sores (ulcers) in the inner lining of the colon and
rectum.
-
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),
which is the abnormal backflow (reflux) of food, stomach acid, and other
digestive juices into the esophagus.
-
Crohn's disease, which is a form of inflammatory bowel
disease that causes inflammation and ulcers that may affect the deepest layers
of the lining of the digestive tract.
- Use of aspirin or
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Although fecal occult blood testing may be used to screen for
colorectal cancer, it is never used to diagnose this disease. Other screening
and diagnostic tests for colon cancer include a
digital rectal examination,
barium enema, flexible
sigmoidoscopy,
colonoscopy, or
CT scan.
Checking for hidden (occult) blood in the stool can be done at
home. Testing kits are available at pharmacies without a prescription, or your
health professional may order a testing kit for you to use at home. If a home
fecal occult blood test detects blood in your stool, contact your health
professional.
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