If I went to the hospital to get checked for colon cancer, what would they do to me to find out? How do they find out? And about how much do you think it will cost? And if I did have colon cancer, what treatment would they tell me to take?
I’m trying to keep this question more general, what would they usually do? What would they normally do or recommend to anyone?
If your signs and symptoms indicate that you could have colon cancer, your doctor may recommend one of more tests and procedures, including:
1.Using a scope to examine the inside of your colon. Colonoscopy uses a long, flexible and slender tube attached to a video camera and monitor to view your entire colon and rectum. If any suspicious areas are found, your doctor can pass surgical tools through the tube to take tissue samples (biopsies) for analysis.
2.Using dye and X-rays to make a picture of your colon. A barium enema allows your doctor to evaluate your entire colon with an X-ray. Barium, a contrast dye, is placed into your bowel in an enema form. During a double-contrast barium enema, air also is added. The barium fills and coats the lining of the bowel, creating a clear silhouette of your rectum, colon and sometimes a small portion of your small intestine.
3. Using multiple CT images to create a picture of your colon. Virtual colonoscopy combines multiple computerized tomography (CT) images to create a detailed picture of the inside of your colon. If you’re unable to undergo colonoscopy, your doctor may recommend virtual colonoscopy.
4. Earlier and initially by conducting Blood tests. Your doctor may order blood tests to better understand what may be causing your signs and symptoms, but there are no blood tests that can detect colon cancer. Blood tests may include a complete blood count and organ-function tests. -
A. With the test results of the above the doctor will confirm if you have colorectal cancer and advice you for further treatment planning depending of various conditions.
Costwise it vary from contry to contry and unless we know where do you stay it is difficult to tell. This one you have to find out locally from an Onclogist or Oncology hospital.
Generally as done for most of the cancers you will have to undergo treatments viz. Surgery, Chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The quantum of cycles of these treatments will be decided again on the basis of seviarity of your disease. -
Please do not worry for the expesnes. You have to carry on the treatments suggested by the Oncologist and try to cure the disease as CANCER IS STILL AN ENIGMA -