What are the Different Types of Colon Cancer Screening?
The three main ways to examine the colon are: colonoscopy, barium enema and computer tomography (CT) colonography (aka virtual colonoscopy). All three methods require the patient to clear their bowels beforehand so that the doctor can obtain a clear view of the entire length of the colon.
The most accurate, common and recommended form of colon cancer screening is a colonoscopy, as it not only allows for clear visualization of the colon, it also allows the doctor to obtain tissue samples for biopsies and remove abnormal growths on the spot.
1. Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is regarded as the ideal standard for colon cancer screening. A small, flexible tube containing a light and camera is inserted through the anus, and advanced all the way through the colon. This gives the doctor high quality and real-time images of the inside of the colon.
Should any abnormal growths be found, they can be removed on the spot or taken for a biopsy, which will determine with certainty if it is cancerous or not.
This procedure is usually performed under sedation, so it is painless. After the procedure, you may only feel minor discomfort such as bloating. A rare complication is perforation of the colon wall, but it is very unlikely in the hands of an experienced colorectal cancer surgeon.
Learn more about this diagnostic technology, in Dr Ho Kok Sun's dedicated website: Colonoscopy Clinic Singapore.
2. Barium Enema
The barium enema method involves the insertion of a tube into the anus, through which a bag of white liquid (barium) will be poured in. The patient will then be rotated so that the barium can flow through the entire length of the colon. After this is done, the barium will be drained back out. Air will then be pumped in through the tube so as to inflate the colon (providing a clearer view), and x-ray images will be taken with the patient in different positions.
3. CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy)
Here, a tube will be inserted through the anus and 1 to 1.5 liters of air will be pumped in to inflate the colon. The patient will then lie on his back in the CT scanner, given an intravenous injection and the scan will be performed. The patient will then lie on his stomach and the same process is repeated. The virtual image of the colon will then be generated.
What Is the Difference Between the 3 Colon Cancer Screening Methods?
Barium enema nowadays is near obsolete and have been replaced by CT colonography. The main advantage of CT colonography over colonoscopy is that the perforation rate is lower (0.05% versus 0.10% for colonoscopy). Some patients also worry about the “perceived” invasiveness of having a tube go into the colon.
CT colonoscopy is not performed under sedation, so most will feel some bloating/discomfort when the air is pumped in. There is also radiation involved, as well as an injection of intravenous contrast, which has a minor risk of kidney injury. Accuracy of CT colonography is also slightly lower than colonoscopy.
The most important difference is that CT colonography can only diagnose and pick up polyps and cancers, but would still need a colonoscopy to remove the polyps or to biopsy any suspicious area to test for cancer.