Colon and Rectal Cancers - Dietary Factors

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Highlights	Treatment	Radiation Treatment
Introduction	Surgery	Follow-up Testing
Causes	Chemotherapy	Treatment for Metastasized Colorectal Cancer
Risk Factors and Prevention	Radiation	Resources
Symptoms	Resources	References
Diagnosis and Screening	References

Colonoscopy is generally a safe procedure. In very rare cases, complications such as bowel perforation can occur.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy. Sigmoidoscopy is similar to colonoscopy but only examines the rectum and the lower two feet of the colon. (In contrast, colonoscopy allows the doctor to view the entire colon.) The procedure takes about 10 - 20 minutes, and sedation is optional. Preparation procedures are less demanding than those for colonoscopy.

Double-Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE). The double-contrast barium enema test uses an x-ray to image the entire large intestine. The test takes about 30 - 45 minutes, and sedation is not required. Preparations are similar to those for colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. For the test, barium sulfate is inserted into the rectum using a small, flexible tube. The colon is then pumped with air to help the barium spread through the colon. If polyps are detected in the x-ray, your doctor may recommend you have a colonoscopy for further investigation and removal.

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Virtual Colonoscopy. Virtual colonoscopy, also called CT colonoscopy, uses x-rays delivered by computed tomography (CT) scan to take three-dimensional images of the colon. The test takes only 10 minutes to perform, and does not require sedation. (It does require the same preparations as standard colonoscopy to clean out the colon and bowel.) Air is pumped into the rectum through a small flexible tube. The patient is then slid into a CT scanner, which takes rapid images. Some recent studies indicate that CT colonoscopy has a high accuracy rate in detecting adenomas and cancers.

Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT). A fecal occult blood test is a take-home test that uses stool samples to detect hidden (occult) blood in feces. It may detect small amounts of blood in your stool from polyps or a tumor, even when your stools appear normal. Your doctor will give you a kit with instructions on how to take stool samples and prepare them for the kit. Your doctor will also inform you about what medications and foods need to be avoided in the days prior to the test. The test kit and samples are sent to a laboratory and results usually come back in a short time. If blood is found in the stool samples, you will need to have a colonoscopy.