My Cancer Advisor

Here is a 14 second segment view of a colon cancer seen through a scope. Not very pleasant, but an important view if you’re looking for cancer. There are other options such as a virtual colonoscopy. Using a computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), clinicians get an animated 3-D view of the inside of your large intestine. However, if the virtual colonoscopy does show signs of pre-cancerous growths, called polyps, then a colonoscopy is necessary to verify the findings. Here’s more information from our companion website, patientresource.net:

Most cancers of the large intestine are believed to have developed from polyps. Polyps are benign tumors of the large intestine. Polyps are not life threatening, and they can be easily removed during a colonoscopy, a common screening test for colon cancer. There is strong evidence though that patients who form multiple polyps in their colon or rectum are at higher risk for developing colorectal cancer. If benign polyps are not removed from the large intestine, they can become cancerous over time. Finding and removing polyps are now known to be important in preventing colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends a baseline colonoscopy when people reach age 50 and then every 10 years or so, depending upon the findings. This is especially true for individuals who have a history of colon or rectal cancer in their family.

Tags: Anatomy, Colonoscopy, Screening and prevention