NetWellness Colon Cancer

What is a Good Colonscopy Prep?

Julia Thornton MD — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:11:00 EST

Question: I keep hearing doctors referring to a good colonscopy prep. What constitutes a good colonscopy prep? Most take the laxitive have brownish liquid stools and get the procedure. I have had at least 4 colonscopys and never had a perfectly clear stool. So how is the determination arrived at? Thanks.

Answer: A good colonoscopy prep allows the physician to see the lining of the colon easily without having to wash away a lot of stool. Usually when the colonoscopy prep is good, the stool that is coming out is a clear liquid or light yellow, similar in appearance to urine. If the stool coming out is brown, . . .

Ask an Expert: Julia Thornton MD, Colon Cancer

Coumadin and Colonscopy

Gregory Cooper MD — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:11:00 EST

Question:

Can one have colonscopy while on coumadin? I am on coumadin and need a screening colonscopy in a few months. I have atrial fibrillation as well. If coumdain must be removed what is the maxinum INR to consider for the colonscopy? Any information is appreciated.

Answer: You should check with your doctor who prescribed the coumadin as to whether it can be safely be discontinued, switch you to a shorter acting blood thinner such as Lovenox, or you need to stay on the coumadin. We often do colonoscopies on coumadin with the caveat that if a large polyp is found, we ca . . .

Ask an Expert: Gregory Cooper MD, Colon Cancer

Anal Cancer Risk with Fistula

Linda Cummings MD, MS — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:10:00 EST

Question: I have a four-year-old perianal fistula due to Crohn`s disease. An MRI showed that it is a 10 cm long by 7-8 mm in width. I was told it is a very long track and is a mature fistula.

Am I at any higher risk for anal cancer as time goes on due to the fistula?

Thank you

Answer: Anal cancer is uncommon, but perianal fistulae from Crohn's disease do seem to be associated with an increased risk for anal cancer. The cause of this increased risk is not known. It is speculated that chronic inflammation from the fistula increases risk. Generally, the few cases that have been repo . . .

Ask an Expert: Linda Cummings MD, MS, Colon Cancer

Young with No History

Gregory Cooper MD — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:10:00 EST

Question: I am 23yrs old and have many GI symptoms- BRB in stools, diarrhea, constant abdominal pain for several weeks now (never stops hurting through out the day). I currently do not have insurance and was wondering if there is even a need to get tested. I do have family hx of cancers but none involving the . . .

Answer: I would recommend that at least you see a primary care physician to have an exam and basic blood work. At age 23, it may be sufficient to do a flexible sigmoidoscopy to assess the cause of the diarrhea and rectal bleeding.

Ask an Expert: Gregory Cooper MD, Colon Cancer

Rectal Cancer

Tanios Bekaii-Saab MD — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:09:00 EST

Question: My mother was diagnosed with rectal cancer in Jan of 2011, stage 4. She has done Zyloda and now they say it`s not working. She doesn`t want to do IV therapy. I know with it she will not survive. How rapid does the disease grow and how long does she have.

Answer: It all depends on how spread out or aggressive the disease is. Without therapy the average is 6 to 12 months.

Ask an Expert: Tanios Bekaii-Saab MD, Colon Cancer

Frequency Of Colonscopy

Gregory Cooper MD — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:09:00 EST

Question: I am a male 62 years old non smoker/drinker with a father who had colon cancer in his 70`s. In 2003 I had a routine screening colonscopy a ademona polyp was removed and found to be benign. Again in 2006 I had another follow up colonscopy. At that time 5 hypoplastic polyp fragments were removed. All . . .

Answer: As long it was a good quality prep and they reached the end of the colon, it should be ok to extend to 5 years.

Ask an Expert: Gregory Cooper MD, Colon Cancer

Can Cancer Spread to the Liver?

Tanios Bekaii-Saab MD — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 12:06:00 EST

Question: After colon cancer and surgery last April, my follow up CT scan revealed a 4mm hypodensity in the right lobe posterior area of the liver. In light of history of colon carcinoma a follow up CT scan is recommended. Can cancer spread to liver when there is no abnormalities found in pelvic are . . .

Answer: Cancer in the colon can spread to the liver directly. If your doctor recommended follow up with another CT, it will be very important to do the scan.

Ask an Expert: Tanios Bekaii-Saab MD, Colon Cancer

Colon polyp with Atypia

Tanios Bekaii-Saab MD — Sat, 28 May 2011 10:05:00 EST

Question: What is the standard of practice for surveillance to atypia of a colon polyp? Thank you.

Answer: It really all depends on the type and number of polyps.

Ask an Expert: Tanios Bekaii-Saab MD, Colon Cancer

Colon Cancer After a Clear Colonoscopy

Gregory Cooper MD — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 21:04:00 EST

Question:

How long, after having a clear colonoscopy, could you develop colon cancer symptoms? My mom died of colon cancer. I have been getting colonoscopies every 5 years since the age of 40 yrs. I am now 53 and had my last colonoscopy at 50, but have developed cramps, mucus, and a small amount of blood i . . .

Answer: We have seen cancers develop as soon as a year after colonoscopy but these are uncommon. Assuming the last exam had a good prep, you would normally be protected for at least five years. However, given your symptoms, I would recommend checking with your doctor about whether a colonoscopy is necessary . . .

Ask an Expert: Gregory Cooper MD, Colon Cancer

Could it be colon cancer

Linda Cummings MD, MS — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:04:00 EST

Question:

I`m a 23 year old male. My family has a history of diabetes. I`m being tested for that as well. So for a while now I have had blood in my stool and it happens almost everytime I use the restroom and sometimes there is a lot. I am tired all the time, I get full even when I eat a small am . . .

Answer:

Signs or symptoms that can be concerning for colon cancer include blood in the stool, weight loss, abdominal pain, fatigue, or a change in bowel habits. However, because age is a risk factor for colon cancer, it would be less likely in someone as young as you are unless there is some other factor . . .

Ask an Expert: Linda Cummings MD, MS, Colon Cancer