Which blood test item can reveal colon cancer

A blood test is a common blood test used to evaluate the various cell components in the blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A blood test is not usually used directly to diagnose colorectal cancer, which often does not cause obvious changes in a blood test in the early stages. However, certain indicators in a blood test may provide some clues.

In advanced stages of bowel cancer or when there are infectious complications, the white blood cell count may be elevated. Bowel cancer may cause chronic bleeding, especially in the case of colorectal cancer, which may lead to anemia, manifested by decreased hemoglobin levels and a decreased red blood cell count. Bowel cancer may cause an elevated platelet count when the tumor produces certain substances that stimulate the bone marrow to produce more platelets. Although not a direct component of a routine blood test, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a non-specific marker of inflammation and may be elevated in advanced bowel cancer or when there is an inflammatory response.

In advanced stages of bowel cancer or when there are infectious complications, the white blood cell count may be elevated. Bowel cancer may cause chronic bleeding, especially in the case of colorectal cancer, which may lead to anemia, manifested by decreased hemoglobin levels and a decreased red blood cell count. Bowel cancer may cause an elevated platelet count when the tumor produces certain substances that stimulate the bone marrow to produce more platelets. Although not a direct component of a routine blood test, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a non-specific marker of inflammation and may be elevated in advanced bowel cancer or when there is an inflammatory response.

Although a blood test may provide some indirect clues, a definitive diagnosis of bowel cancer usually requires other tests such as a colonoscopy, CT scan, MRI, PET scan or tumour marker testing.