Question 1

can an abdominal pelvic cat scan screen for colon cancer or see a mass in the rectum?

Accepted Answer

Possibly & Yes: These are 2 different scenarios. Screening is performed in asymptomatic patients. You can screen for colon cancer with a special type of ct scan called virtual colonscopy. If a polyp is found it would still need to be removed with a colonscopy masses in the rectum can be seen with a pelvic ct scan.

Question 2

can a ct scan of the abdomen/pelvis without contrast detect colon cancer and ulcers?

Accepted Answer

CT Scan Findings: Ct scan is not the best study to detect colon cancer or ulcers. Although a ct scan may show a large sized colon cancer, the sensitivity of this is greatly reduced without the administration of oral contrast. Ulcers are typically not seen on ct scan. The best diagnostic study for both of these would be an endoscopy and colonoscopy.

Question 3

on chemo for metastic colon cancer . ct scan coming up - says neck, thorax , abdomen and pelvis . is neck usually scanned ?

Accepted Answer

Not usually, but...: Generally colon cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, liver and lungs, so those are the first organs looked at to see if it has spread or not.  However, another symptom or physical finding may prompt a doctor to include another area of the body, such as the neck or brain.

Question 4

can a ct with contrast of abdomen and pelvis detect colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If you mean a regular ct with contrast (and not a virtual colonoscopy), the answer is occasionally.  If the cancer is spread, you may see enlarged nodes or metastases.  If not spread, you could conceivably see obstruction or changes in the bowel wall but it would likely be a big tumor nonetheless.  A ct is not a screening test and is not the way to diagnose early colon cancer.

Question 5

if colon cancer was causing pain ruq wouldn't it be big enough to show on ct of abdomen and pelvis? 31 yo- fecal occult blood negative

Accepted Answer

Not likely colon Ca: Classic colon cancer causes pain via colon obstruction, so in that case, CT would see it. But this would not be expected in a 31 yo w/ occult neg stool. 
  RUQ pain can be any number of causes in young adult. Need to know more history and clinical exam by a Dr. to advise work up.
 Best screen for colon Ca is colonoscopy, but unless strong family history, may start around 50 yrs old.

Question 6

pain abdomen, mostly ruq ct abdomen & pelvis- hida abdom us, egd, cbc,cmp, ldh, lipase,amalyse,stool all negative... help! can ct show colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

Last question first: sometimes, if it is large.   A colonoscopy is better.

Question 7

would advanced colon cancer show up on a ct scan of my abdomen ? reg ct scan not virtual colonoscopy.

Accepted Answer

Depends: A ct scan does not evaluate colon cancer very well. If there is "advanced" cancer as you asked, possibly a large colon mass could be seen, or if there is metastatic disease to the liver which may also be seen on ct scan. Otherwise, locally advanced cancer contained in the colon or lymph nodes may not be seen on ct scan.

Question 8

a friend has been told they have colon cancer, diagnosed via a tumour marker blood test, high cea, ct scan showed contained mass. is this conclusive?

Accepted Answer

Biopsy: Biopsy of the mass at colonoscopy is the only conclusive test, but the list of abnormalities identified is strongly concerning for colon cancer. Best wishes.

Question 9

i'm a 28 year old female that has had right sided pelvic pain for a few months. i have had two clear ultrasounds and a clear ct scan with contrast. can right sided pelvic pain be a symptom of colon cancer? or any idea on what may be causing the pain?

Accepted Answer

Right pelvic pain: Have  other GI signs ?, nausea /vomiting? diarrhea? blood in stool? Able to eat? May be GI - gallbladder,   diverticulum ( meckels- but that is  associated with bleeding) ,  CT would note appendicitis and  i assume  kidney stones were considered .  But   I have seen women w/pelvic pain w/vaginal culture  of  ureoplasma/ mycoplasma  and responded to docycycline / or azithromycin f/u /MD

Question 10

can i be screened for colon cancer with a ct scan instead of a colonoscopy?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Virtual colonoscopy can screen for polyps. If one is found a traditional colonoscopy will be needed to remove it. Virtual colonoscopy is good for follow-up after a polyp has been removed.

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Doctor answers about:

Can an abdominal pelvic cat scan screen for colon cancer or see a mass in the rectum

A member asked:

Can an abdominal pelvic cat scan screen for colon cancer or see a mass in the rectum?

A member asked:

Can a ct scan of the abdomen/pelvis without contrast detect colon cancer and ulcers?

A member asked:

On chemo for metastic colon cancer . ct scan coming up - says neck, thorax , abdomen and pelvis . is neck usually scanned ?

A member asked:

Can a ct with contrast of abdomen and pelvis detect colon cancer?

A member asked:

If colon cancer was causing pain ruq wouldn't it be big enough to show on ct of abdomen and pelvis? 31 yo- fecal occult blood negative

A member asked:

Pain abdomen, mostly ruq ct abdomen & pelvis- hida abdom us, egd, cbc,cmp, ldh, lipase,amalyse,stool all negative... help! can ct show colon cancer?

A member asked:

Would advanced colon cancer show up on a ct scan of my abdomen ? reg ct scan not virtual colonoscopy.

A member asked:

A friend has been told they have colon cancer, diagnosed via a tumour marker blood test, high cea, ct scan showed contained mass. is this conclusive?

A member asked:

I'm a 28 year old female that has had right sided pelvic pain for a few months. i have had two clear ultrasounds and a clear ct scan with contrast. can right sided pelvic pain be a symptom of colon cancer? or any idea on what may be causing the pain?

A member asked:

Can i be screened for colon cancer with a ct scan instead of a colonoscopy?

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