Question 1

how reliable is a ab ct scan for colon cancer? had 3, what percentage of cancers are missed in a ct scan? trying to find stats.

Accepted Answer

Not good: This same question has been asked several times today. A ct scan will not see a colon cancer unless it is large enough and advanced enough so that it could then be seen. Colonoscopy will see a colon cancer at a much earlier stage. I know of no statistics for what you are asking.

Question 2

chance 4 ab / pelvic  ct scans all missed symptomatic colon cancer (narrow stools, occaision blood) over three years. also had sigmoidosopy to 35cm?

Accepted Answer

Hematochexia: Negative sigmoidoscopy and CT sacn of pelvis and Abdomen. May need a full colonoscopy doubt colon cancer for 3 years without significant progression. Other cause like IBD more likely

Question 3

hlthy 38yo guy-a lot blood on tp after straining to poop-dark poop-slight red water-anus painful. ab cat scan in aug ok. % of chance of colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

Colonoscopy: if you are having blood in your stool ultrasound does not show anything 
chance of cancer in your age is low but not zero
you need to see a surgeon or GI specialists and most likely you need colonoscopy to determined what causing the problem 
most of the time it is a simple problem treated with regulating the bowel and medication

Question 4

have mild ab discomfort in urq/ulq, gerd, and health anxiety.  gastro doc ordered ab/pelvic ct scan with contrast. results normal.  had clear colonoscopy 5 years ago.  worried about colon cancer - could ct w/ contrast detect colon cancer at all?

Accepted Answer

Untrusting: I am sorry that you don't feel you can trust the gastroenterologist  who is evaluating you. Yes, a CT scan with contrast can be used to detect colon cancer. Why do you seek evaluation by a specialist if you don't trust him/her to have adequate knowledge about appropriate testing/ evaluation?

Question 5

the c.t. scan results says that my colon has become twisted for a possible "internal hernia". wha's this means?

Accepted Answer

Hernia is Internal: A loop of bowel can protrude through a hole (defect) in the mesentery which supports the bowel in the abdomen. Such a protruding loop can become trapped (incarcerated) or become twisted and block its' blood supply and be strangulated. These conditions can then lead to obstruction or/and perforation of the bowel. If actually present, the condition would require surgical repair.

Question 6

can stool in the colon cause a pet scan to light up?

Accepted Answer

No: There is variable uptake throughout the bowel on pet scans due to a number of factors (e.g., bowel motility, types of cells in the bowel or inflammation).  It is not uncommon to have areas of focal uptake in the bowel.  Stool, per se, should not cause increased uptake, though bowel activity may lead to a focal "hot spot.".

Question 7

diverticulosis attack treated with antibotics can arrest further devlopment? colon scan indicates two pouches locatedi n the lower colon near rectum

Accepted Answer

Diverticulitis?: I'll assume you are asking about the role of antibiotics in diverticulitis. Diverticulosis is the presence of outpouches in the colon wall. It presents with bleeding. Diverticulitis is infection of one of those areas, it will present variably with pain, fever, diarrhea, nausea, inability to defecate, and even sepsis. Diverticulitis is treated with antibiotics, but additional therapy may be needed.

Question 8

are occult blood tests for colon cancer reliable?

Accepted Answer

Not really: The sensitivity of occult blood test is very low -about 20-25% if it is done only once. If it is done in 3 separate occasions- the sensitivity of the test to check for GI bleeding will be higher up to 90%. However, the test's accuracy for colon cancer is not high as GI bleeding can be caused by so many things-hemorrhoids, avm, gastric ulcer etc. Colonsocopy needs to be done if occult blood is +.

Question 9

how soon after colon cancer resection should i have a pet scan?

Accepted Answer

It depends: Your doctor is your best guide. Pet scans have to be used judiciously. There has to be a good reason to do a pet scan. Unless your have high stage cancer(stage3/4) there may not be any good reason to do a pet scan. So tell us the complete story about your cancer(?Stage) and treatments done so far, before we can provide you with  proper guidance.

Question 10

is a pet scan used for colon cancer detection instead of a colonoscopy?

Accepted Answer

No: The standard method to detect colon cancer is a colonscopy- plus it gives the doctor a chance to get a biopsy at the same time. A pet is a very useful test for figuring out the extent of colon cancer once a diagnosis has been made- it is not used as a test to detect cancer at present..

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Doctor answers about:

How reliable is ab scan for colon

A member asked:

How reliable is a ab ct scan for colon cancer? had 3, what percentage of cancers are missed in a ct scan? trying to find stats.

A member asked:

Chance 4 ab / pelvic ct scans all missed symptomatic colon cancer (narrow stools, occaision blood) over three years. also had sigmoidosopy to 35cm?

A member asked:

Hlthy 38yo guy-a lot blood on tp after straining to poop-dark poop-slight red water-anus painful. ab cat scan in aug ok. % of chance of colon cancer?

A member asked:

Have mild ab discomfort in urq/ulq, gerd, and health anxiety. gastro doc ordered ab/pelvic ct scan with contrast. results normal. had clear colonoscopy 5 years ago. worried about colon cancer - could ct w/ contrast detect colon cancer at all?

A member asked:

The c.t. scan results says that my colon has become twisted for a possible "internal hernia". wha's this means?

A member asked:

Can stool in the colon cause a pet scan to light up?

A member asked:

Diverticulosis attack treated with antibotics can arrest further devlopment? colon scan indicates two pouches locatedi n the lower colon near rectum

A member asked:

Are occult blood tests for colon cancer reliable?

A member asked:

How soon after colon cancer resection should i have a pet scan?

A member asked:

Is a pet scan used for colon cancer detection instead of a colonoscopy?

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