A simple X-ray image (native image) of the
abdomen can’t detect colon cancer, but
it can tell us if there is some intestinal
obstruction present, or not. If there is
an obstruction present, you can then
research the possible cause of the
obstruction, including colon cancer.
More information about colon cancer can be
gathered via an irigography. Irigography
is a contrast X-ray method where the X-ray
image is taken after filling the colon
with contrast (barium) through the anus.
The best method for detecting colon cancer
is via a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is an
endoscopic procedure wherein the colon is
seen from a camera placed on the top of a
fiber-optic, flexible tube that is
inserted in the anus. During a
colonoscopy, the doctor performing the
procedure is able to take some tissue
samples (biopsy) for hysto-pathologic
analyses if and when s/he notices any
suspicious tissue in the colon.
An abdominal ultrasound and CT-scan are
done to detect regional spread of colon
cancer.
Further, a very useful laboratory method
for assuming colon cancer is to use an
occult blood test of the stool. This test
detects very small amounts of blood in the
stool (visually unnoticeable) that might
originate from colon cancer. The occult
blood stool test should be performed
first, and then the other imaging methods
follow.
Symptoms of colon cancer depend upon its
location. Cancers of the left colon (colon
descendent) manifest earlier in the
disease, with symptoms of bowel
obstruction (constipation, vomiting,
abdominal pain). Cancers of the right
colon (ascendent colon) may show no
symptoms until the disease had spread.
That is because right colon is thicker
than the left one. Losing weight could be
the first symptom of right-sided colon
cancer. Blood in the stool can be present
in both types of cancer, but it is often
invisible. Occult blood test can detect
such small amounts of blood in the stool.
According to your symptoms (“pain and
slight swelling in the front of my lower
left rib cage area which radiates to
middle back”, “lower back muscular
pain”, “gases and narrow stool”), it
doesn’t seems likely that you have colon
cancer but you may do some of the
diagnostic procedures mentioned above. You
can consult an internist if you like.
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