COLON CANCER SCREENING

Fernando Urrutia M.D.
 
 
What is a colonoscopy?

It is an internal examination of the colon (large intestine), using an instrument called a colonoscope, which consists of a small camera attached to a flexible tube.

The person lies down on the left side with knees bent toward the chest. After administering a sedative and analgesic, the colonoscope is inserted through the anus and progressing smoothly until the bottom of the small intestine.

It was insufflated air through the colonoscope to get a better view and can be used suction to remove secretions.

As for the withdrawal of the instrument you get the best pictures during the process of integration must be examined more carefully at the time to withdraw. It can take tissue samples for biopsy with small clamps that are introduced through the colonoscope.

Preparation for the review

In preparing the review, it is essential thorough cleaning of the intestine, and for this, the doctor will give appropriate instructions that include: the use of enemas, refraining from any type of solid food for two or three days before the exam and ingesting laxatives. Equally, it may be prompted to suspend the person consumption of aspirin and other medications anticoagulants for several days before the examination. Follow the doctor.

Reasons for which the review is conducted

• In order to obtain tissue samples for biopsy
• To evaluate an unexplained anemia
• To evaluate the presence of unexplained blood in the stool, abdominal pain, diarrhea or persistent abnormalities, such as polyps discovered in an X-ray contrast (barium enema)
• In order to determine the type and extent of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease)
• To keep track of a prior finding of polyps, colon cancer or a family history of it

 

What are the risks

• Intestinal perforation (hole) that requires surgery (less than 2 each l.000 examinations)
• Profuse bleeding or persistent in the biopsy sites or sites removal of polyps (1 in 1,000 examinations)
• Adverse reaction to the sedative, causing respiratory problems or low blood pressure (4 in 10,000 examinations)
• Infection requiring antibiotic therapy (very rare)
• Nausea, vomiting, bloating or rectal irritation caused by oral medication to clean the intestines

Please be accompanied / or because they can not handle after his procedure.

What is a Endoscopy?

You will be given to the patient a sedative and a anagelsico and applied a local anesthetic using the spray in the mouth to inhibit the need to cough or nausea when they enter the endoscope. To protect teeth and the endoscope is inserted a mouthguard and should withdraw removable dentures.

In most cases, is inserted intravenously in the arm to administer medication during the procedure and requested the patient lie on the left side.

After the reflection nauseoso has been inhibited by the anesthetic, the endoscope is passed through the esophagus to the stomach and duodenum. Then air is introduced through the endoscope to enhance the visualization; examines the lining of the esophagus, stomach and upper duodenum and can be taken biopsies (tissue samples that are observed under the microscope) through the endoscope.

Having completed the review, restrict food solids and liquids until he returns reflect nauseoso. The review takes about 5 to 20 minutes.

Preparation for the review The patient should not eat food from the night before (six to twelve hours before the examination) and must sign an authorization. Equally, it may be prompted to patients discontinue use of aspirin and other medications anticoagulants for several days before the examination.

Reasons for which the review is conducted this test helps determine:

• The cause of bleeding in the upper GI tract (GI)
• The cause of difficulty in swallowing
• The presence of ulcerations and inflammation
• The cause of abdominal pain
• The state of the stomach and duodenum after an operation
• The presence of tumors or other abnormalities of the upper GI tract
• Estrechez or tumors of the esophagus

There is a small chance of perforation (hole) of the stomach, duodenum or esophagus, as well as a small risk of bleeding at the site of the biopsy. A patient might present an adverse reaction to anesthesia, the medicine or calming, which could cause:

• Respiratory depression (difficulty breathing)
• Apnea (shortness of breath)
• hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Excessive sweating
• Bradycardia
• Laringoespasmo (spasm of the larynx)

The overall risk is less than 1 case per 1,000 people.
It must be accompanied / or can not handle after the procedure.

 

Privacy and your Health information