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Colorectal and Colon Cancer

Cancer that begins in the colon or large intestine is called colon cancer. Cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Cancer that starts in either of these organs may also be called colorectal cancer.

648 Questions

How long does it take to clear bowels for a colonoscopy?

It will begin to fill almost as soon as you are finished. It is just the end of the tract and so will continue to fill.

Is bowel and colon the same?

Not exactly. Bowel is all the intestines, both small and large; technically, colon is just the large intestine from cecum to rectum. This is according to www.onelook.com, which has valid dictionaries.

What foods to eat after a colonoscopy with ulcerative colities?

After a colonoscopy with ulcerative colitis, you should eat foods high in fiber, and you should drink lots of water. You should also avoid greasy food and eat smaller meals more often throughout the day.

What is a flexible colonoscopy?

In a colonoscopy, a flexible tube with a lighted mirror at the end is threaded through the anus, rectum, and colon to examine the lower part of the large intestines. The patient receives a short-acting sedative which puts the person in a twilight sleep, so they can respond and move as told to do so, but they will not remember the procedure or any discomfort.

What percentage fo people have cancer in the world?

The current estimated human population for the planet earth in 2010 is 6,865,300,000 by the United States Census Bureau. The United Nations estimates that world population will be over the 7,000,000,000 mark in 2011. Recent U.N. organized surveys performed in multiple countries have found the average percentage of people who suffer from some sort of cancer is 31%. The American Cancer Society has found similar numbers in its studies of North and South America.

Using these two sources of information. One can estimate that 2,128,243,000 individuals in the year 2010, will have some sort of cancer.

Can a colonoscopy remove polyps?

Polyps can be removed through the colonoscope and samples of tissue (biopsies) can be taken to test for the presence of cancerous cells.

What causes enlarged red blood cells low white count and low platlets?

Well the WBC's are an obvious sign of infection. The platelets could be because you are prone to DVT or blood clots. U need to be evaluated and potentially placed on a blood thinner, as well as an antibiotic for infection depending on symptoms

Where can a colonoscopy be performed?

Colonoscopy can be performed either in a physician's office or in an endoscopic procedure room of a hospital.

Can you eat bananas before a colonoscopy?

If you are the one performing the colonoscopy, sure. If you are the one getting 'scoped you better ask your doctor. They usually tell you to stop eating solids 24 hours before and give you a gallon or two of something to clean you out that you have to drink before.

What is your life expectancy after prostate cancer surgery?

The length of the stay depends first and foremost on whether the surgery was performed via laparotomy or laparoscopy. The former usually requires a stay of a week or more, while patients receiving the latter surgery generally need only about a day or two of hospital recovery.

How much should a colonoscopy cost?

Colonoscopy with a biopsy can cost around $3000.

Less for a screening-only colonoscopy with no polyps found.

Colonoscopy with a biopsy can cost around $3000.

Less for a screening-only colonoscopy with no polyps found.

What happens when you don't treat colon cancer?

If the cancer grows large enough it will block the bowel completely causeing "bowl obstruction"and then tumors.

What happens if hemoglobin is very low?

No energy, hard to think, fever, terrible, terrible headache.

Source: My experience, I went into the hospital with a hemoglobin level of 4.5. Doctors couldn't believe I was still conscious and walking around.

Who performs colonoscopies?

Colonoscopies may be performed by a GI specialist and may also be done by a general surgeon.

Can you drink non-alcoholic beer before a colonoscopy?

any alcohol poisoning will be much much worse than before but you can have like 1 pint a day maximum a bit more than a pint like 1.3

What age do you start getting a colonoscopy?

Most women stop getting pap smears at age 65. Talk with your health care provider for recommendations specific to your situation.

Why can't colonoscopy patients eat before the procedure?

The colon must be thoroughly cleansed before performing colonoscopy.

Consequently, for two or more days before the procedure, considerable preparation is necessary to clear the colon of all stool.

What sedatives are used during colonoscopy?

A Colonoscopy is usally done under twilight anesthesia. Most likely a medicine equivalant to Valium or Versed, with some pain medication thrown in there, and some Amnesia control. Some people wake up during the last part of the colonoscopy while others prefer to be made not aware of anything in which case more Anesthesia will be given.

Is Stage 4 bone cancer treatable?

Stage 4 cancer is treatable. Once a person gets to state 4 cancer hardly ever go into remission due to the advancement of the disease.

How fast does colon cancer kill you?

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women in the U.S. When it's caught in its early stages, it's easily treated and often cured. But because it is usually not discovered early, it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. The exact cause is unknown, but most cases begin as polyps, which are small growths inside the colon or rectum. Colon polyps are very common, and most of them do not turn into cancer. Most polyps are easily found with fairly simple screening tests. Screening tests are tests that look for a certain disease or condition before any symptoms appear. In the case of colon cancer, screening tests can find evidence of polyps in the intestine. Sometimes the doctor can remove any polyps that are found at the same time.

You are more likely to get colorectal cancer if you eat a high-fat diet, smoke, or have a history of this type of cancer in your family. However, most people who get colorectal cancer have none of these things in their background. Other, less common symptoms of early-stage colorectal cancer include fatigue and unexplained weight loss.

If caught in time the chances of beating colon cancer is very high.

How do you describe the three stages of cancer development?

The American Heart Association explains the prevention of high blood pressure, also called hypertension, and the treatment of high blood is quite dangerous.

Colon Cancer Treatment?

Alternative Names

Screening for colon cancer; Colonoscopy - screening; Sigmoidoscopy - screening; Virtual colonoscopy - screening

Information

Colon cancer screening can detect polyps and early cancers. Such screening can find abnormalities that can be treated before cancer develops or spreads. Regular screenings may decrease deaths and prevent pain caused by colorectal cancer.

TOOLS OR TESTS

Several tools may be used, either alone or together, to screen for colon cancer:

The first method is a stool test that checks your bowel movements for blood.

  • Polyps in the colon and smaller cancers often cause small amounts of bleeding that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
  • The most common method used is the fecal occult blood test(FOBT). Newer stool tests are called the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and stool DNA test (sDNA).

The second method is a sigmoidoscopy exam.

  • This test uses a flexible small scope to look at the lower part of your colon. Because it only looks at the last one-third of the large intestine (colon), it may miss some cancers.
  • A stool test and sigmoidoscopy should be used together.

The third method is a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is similar to a sigmoidoscopy, but the entire colon can be viewed. You will usually be mildly sedated during a colonoscopy.

Two other methods may be used:

  • Double-contrast barium enemy, a special x-ray of the large intestine, which includes the colon and rectum
  • Virtual colonoscopy -- a type of x-ray that uses computer software to create an image

A test called capsule endoscopy (swallowing a small, pill-sized camera) is also being studied, but it is not recommended for standard screening at this time.

SCREENING FOR AVERAGE-RISK PEOPLE

There is not enough evidence to state which screening method is best. Discuss with your doctor which test is most appropriate for you.

Beginning at age 50, both men and women should have a screening test. Some health care providers recommend that African Americans begin screening at age 45.

Screening options for patients with an average risk for colon cancer:

  • Colonoscopy every 10 years
  • Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years
  • Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year - if results are positive, a colonoscopy is needed
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 - 10 years, usually with stool testing FOBT done every 1 - 3 years
  • Virtual colonoscopy every 5 years

SCREENING FOR HIGHER-RISK PEOPLE

People with certain risk factors for colon cancer may need earlier (before age 50) or more frequent testing.

More common risk factors are:

  • A family history of inherited colorectal cancer syndromes, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)
  • A strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps. This usually means first-degree relatives (parent, sibling, or child) who developed these conditions younger than age 60.
  • A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps
  • A personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (for example, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease)

Screening for these groups of people is more likely to be done using colonoscopy.

See also: Colon cancer

References

Whitlock EP, Lin JS, Liles E, Beil TL, Fu R. Screening for colorectal cancer: a targeted, updated systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:638-658.

Rex DK, Johnson DA, Anderson JC, Schoenfeld PS, Burke CA, Inadomi JM; American College of Gastroenterology. American College of Gastroenterology guidelines for colorectal cancer screening 2009 [corrected]. Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104:739-750.

Lieberman DA. Clinical practice. Screening for colorectal cancer. N Engl J Med. 2009;361:1179-1187.

Burt RW, Barthel JS, Dunn KB, et al. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology. Colorectal cancer screening. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2010;8:8-61.

Levin B, Lieberman DA, McFarland B, Smith RA, Brooks D, Andrews KS, et al. Screening and surveillance for the early detection of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps, 2008: a joint guideline from the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American College of Radiology. CA Cancer J Clin. 2008;58:130-160.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 11/08/2010

George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Should patients taking blood thinners use precaution with taking a colonoscopy?

Patients who regularly take aspirin , nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), blood thinners, or insulin should be sure to inform the physician prior to the colonoscopy.

What is the life expectancy for kids with cancer?

Life expectancy among people with brain cancer depends on several factors such as the stage at which it was diagnosed, the age of the patient and the treatment received. Depending on the stage of the cancer, average life expectancy is anywhere from a few months to 5 years.