|
Colonoscopy may be described as the examination of inside of the large intestine or colon. This allows physicians to diagnose the entire colon for signs of cancer or polyps. Polyps can eventually become cancerous at some stage. The doctor would make use of thin, slender, flexible tube like structure about the thickness of a finger with miniature camera ad an illuminated bulb for clear monitoring of the organ. While the procedure may last for 15–30 minutes, the patient may be given some anesthesia. Depending upon the risk for colon cancer, doctors, usually advise for a test, once in 5-10 years. Colonoscopy is more precise than an X-ray.
Need for colonoscopy
If after complete diagnosis, a small polyp is discovered, the doctor may need to remove it because it could eventually become cancerous with the pace of time. If the doctor finds out a large polyp or tumor or an abnormality of such kind, a biopsy will be done. For the biopsy, a small piece of tissue is taken out through the colonoscope or sigmoidoscope. It's sent to a pathologist for check-up under a microscope for cancerous cells.
Removal of polyps averts colorectal cancer from ever starting. Cancers found in an early stage are more easily curable than at later stages. Nine out of ten people whose colon cancer is discovered early will be alive five years later, having a normal lifespan. Ignorance of the same may cause the colon cancer to grow and spread unnoticed, like an unspoken assailant.
Colonoscopy is not painful
Because most of the time patients are put asleep, so you don’t feel pain or such symptoms.
It is safe to go for endoscopy
Although Colonoscopy is considered to be a safe procedure, complications may crop up causing a perforation (i.e., puncturing of colon walls), which could require surgical repair.
Once the biopsy is performed for the removal of polyp, hemorrhage (heavy bleeding) may result and sometimes require blood transfusion or reinsertion of the colonoscope to control the bleeding. Be sure to discuss the specifications with the physician.
You’ll be required to go for the instructions and guidelines for the food and other consumptions.
Pre-endoscopy requirements for patients
You need to go to bathroom a lot!
- You need to follow a special diet for the day before the examination.
- You may also need an enema to cleanse the colon as it would help to have a fine picture of the inside view for physicians.
- Someone must accompany you during diagnosis as you may feel a mild discomfort and so you may need their support.
|
