What are the auxiliary examination methods for colon cancer

For diseases like colon cancer, examination is the key. Many people are misdiagnosed due to inadequate examination. In fact, many people don't know where to start with the corresponding treatment, that is, they don't know how to conduct auxiliary examinations. Here I will tell you what auxiliary examination methods are there for colon cancer.

1. Routine stool test + occult blood: can be used as a simple screening indicator. If the occult blood is positive, it should be taken seriously and further examination is needed to understand the condition of the digestive tract (stomach, small intestine, large intestine and colon).

2. Tumor marker examination: There are two main markers for colorectal cancer: CEA and CA-199. If these two markers are elevated before surgery, attention should be paid to the presence of liver and lung metastasis. The positive rate of CEA before surgery is about 30%, and the positive rate is about 70% in case of recurrence after surgery.

3. Patients with no problems in digital colon examination should not relax their vigilance. They can undergo further colonoscopy to understand the condition of the colon and large intestine that cannot be touched by digital examination. If they are unwilling to undergo colonoscopy, they can undergo barium enema examination (note that before undergoing colonoscopy or barium enema examination, it is necessary to rule out intestinal obstruction. If there is intestinal obstruction, it is forbidden to take laxatives to prepare the intestine).

4. Chest X-ray or chest film: to rule out lung metastasis.

5. Liver ultrasound or abdominal CT scan: to rule out the presence of liver metastasis.

6. Pelvic CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to understand the tumor infiltration and pelvic lymph node metastasis

7. Anal control function test: This test is required to understand the anal control function before internal sphincter resection surgery.

These are some auxiliary examination methods for colon cancer. Most people don't know enough about them, and don't do a careful examination when making a diagnosis. In this case, our treatment cannot target the root cause and achieve good results. I hope these can help everyone.