Question 1

Would colon cancer show up on a pelvic or abdominal ultrasound test?

Accepted Answer

A mass may be detectable, especially if there is large late stage cancer.  Ultrasound is not the prefered way to diagnose colon cancer; colonoscopy is.

Question 2

Hi can an abdominal ultrasound check for colon cancer spread? and if its normal dies that mean ca is confined to colon?

Accepted Answer

Cancer surveillance is usually done with a CT scan. Ultrasound is unable visualize most of the abdomen effectively. A normal ultrasound would not exclude spread of the cancer.

Question 3

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

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 4

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

sometimes, if it is large.   A colonoscopy is better.

Question 5

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

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 6

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

Accepted Answer

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 7

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

Accepted Answer

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 8

Would abd ultrasound and full blood count show something is wrong possibly colon cancer? no blood visible only loose stool. diagnosed with ibs.

Accepted Answer

At your age colon cancer would be very rare.  Abd US and full blood count are not the best tests to screen for colon cancer.  A colonoscopy would be the better test.  If your tests thus far are normal but still have symptoms, I would see your doctor for further testing.  Colonoscopy would be the best test as I stated before if all other tests were normal.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

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 10

Would colon cancer show up in a abdominal ct scan ?

Accepted Answer

Ct scan is a useful tool for pre operative evaluation and postoperative surveillance, however most colon cances would not be detectable by standard cat scan unless they were very large, or had obvious spread to the liver. A colonoscopy is the most sensitive screening test. Ct colonoscopy can be almost as sensitive as colonoscopy, but is a specialized test and requires the same prep as a colonoscop.

Would colon cancer show up on a pelvic or abdominal ultrasound test