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Investigations
There are a number of different tests used in the diagnosis and treatment of bowel cancer. These are:
Digital Rectal Examination
This is a examination of your back passage. This will involve the doctor examining you inserting a gloved finger into your back passage to asses the surface inside your rectum. The examination is usually painless and can provide a lot of vital information to the doctor. If there is a tumour low down in the rectum they may be able to feel it.
Faecal occult blood
The test for faecal occult blood involves providing a faecal sample to be tested in a laboratory. The sample is tested to sea if there is any hidden blood in the stool. If you receive a positive faecal occult blood test then that means that somewhere in your bowel is a bleed. The cause focus of this bleed will then need to be investigated.
Medline Plus - a service from the American Library of Medicine with more information on faecal occult blood.
Rigid sigmoidoscopy
The inside of the rectum and the lower part of the sigmoid colon can be visualised by using a rigid sigmoidoscope. This is a ridgid tube about 1cm in diameter and 25cm in length. It is passed through the back passage with the aid of lubrication. The doctor can then view the bowel wall and if appropriate can take a biopsy.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
A flexible sigmoidoscope is a flexible tube which can be passed into the bowel to visualise the inside of the lower portion of the large bowel. In many ways it is very similar to a colonoscopy. However it can be carried out without the need for a full bowel preparation so can be preformed when a full colonoscopy cannot be preformed.
Christie Hospital Trust Leaflet - This is a leaflet designed by The Christie Hospital for patients going to have a flexible sigmoidoscopy. The Christie Hospital is a cancer hospital in Manchester.
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is an invasive procedure which is used to visualize the inside of the bowel. It involves the passage of a flexible tube which is about the thickness of your index finger, through your bottom and into the bowel. At the end of this tube there is a video camera which enables the person performing the colonoscopy to visualise inside your bowel.
If the person preforming the colonoscopy see's anything of note on the video screen then they are able to perform a number of procedures by passing instruments through the colonoscope. If any polyps are visible then they are able to remove these using a wire loop. They are also able to take a biopsy of a small amount of tissue.
Christie Hospital Trust Leaflet - This is a leaflet designed by The Christie Hospital for patients going to have a colonoscopy. The Christie Hospital is a cancer hospital in Manchester.
Barium enema
A barium enema is a way in which an X-ray picture of the bowel can be obtained. It involves having an enema of barium which is a radio opaque substance which shows up on an X-ray. This is inserted via a tube in your bottom whilst you are lying on your side. During this procedure X-rays will be taken which will show the bowel in detail.
Medline Plus - a service from the American Library of Medicine with more information on a barium enema.
Computer tomography (CT)
A computer tomography (CT) scan is a method of looking at structures inside the body which uses X-rays to build up a picture in three planes. The scanner looks a bit like a giant doughnut or polo mint; you will have to lie on a narrow bed which will then pass through the scanner. All that you will need to do whist on the scanner is to lie still and follow any instructions given by the radiologist operating the scanner. It may be necessary to inject some contrast medium into a small needle in your arm or the back of your hand. This is to make certain structures inside the body to stand out more on the scan's images.
NHS Direct - more information on having a CT scan from NHS Direct.
The Royal Marsden Hospital - information on having a CT scan from a cancer hospital in London.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A MRI scan is another method of looking at structures inside the body. It can show different information to the CT scan due to the different way that it collects the information. The scanner is a long tube in which you will to lie inside. It is open at both ends, however the scan can feel quite claustrophobic and a buzzer will be given to you for if you feel nervous at any time. When the scanner is running you may hear a loud knocking sound as the scanner goes round. It may be necessary to inject some contrast medium into a small needle in your arm or the back of your hand. This is to make certain structures inside the body to stand out more on the scan's images.
NHS Direct - more information on having a MRI scan from NHS Direct.
The Royal Marsden Hospital - information on having a MRI scan from a cancer hospital in London.