Colon Cancer Tests
Diagnosing colon cancer
If your signs and symptoms indicate that you could have colon cancer, your doctor may recommend one of more tests and procedures, including:
- Blood tests. Your doctor may order blood tests to better understand what may be causing your signs and symptoms, but there are no blood tests that can detect colon cancer. Blood tests may include a complete blood count and organ-function tests.
- Using a scope to examine the inside of your colon.Colonoscopy uses a long, flexible and slender tube attached to a video camera and monitor to view your entire colon and rectum. If any suspicious areas are found, your doctor can pass surgical tools through the tube to take tissue samples (biopsies) for analysis.
- Using dye and X-rays to make a picture of your colon. A barium enema allows your doctor to evaluate your entire colon with an X-ray. Barium, a contrast dye, is placed into your bowel in an enema form. During a double-contrast barium enema, air also is added. The barium fills and coats the lining of the bowel, creating a clear silhouette of your rectum, colon and sometimes a small portion of your small intestine.
- Using multiple CT images to create a picture of your colon.Virtual colonoscopy combines multiple computerized tomography (CT) images to create a detailed picture of the inside of your colon. If you’re unable to undergo colonoscopy, your doctor may recommend virtual colonoscopy.
Next Step: What are the Stages of Colon Cancer?
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colon-cancer/DS00035/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis