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Is Colonoscopy Necessary For Abdominal Pain With History Of Colon Cancer?
Question: I am trying to get some answers about how concerned I need to be about an abdominal/pelvic ct scan Wed...I had a colon cancer removed in situ during a colonoscopy in 1998..no neoplasm in surrounding tissues,,,,followed every year..then three year colonoscopy.I was experiencing some bloating and lower left abdominal pain...ultrasounds wer done intravaginal and abdominal..negative. Bloodwork was normal except for a CEA of 2.9...no previous CEA for comparison...I am a non-smoker...My Dr. wanted a petscan but insurance is not covered. I feel he is being vague when I question him about the need to do this as opposed to repeat bloodwork and/or colonoscopy.It has put me in a very bad mental state for two weeks as I had both siblings die from colon cancer.Does he expect to find some metastatic lesions in my liver or pancreas?Lymph nodes?I don't know why my enzymes are normal then Very upset and confused....difficult communicating with him.Thank you
Brief Answer:
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the query.
I understand your concern, especially in background of your sibling having had the same illness.
First and foremost thing is say good bye to your anxiety.
Learn to live stress free.
Regular walking, healthy life style will help you for same also it will help your bloat and pain.
Regarding checking out for disease recurrence doing a colonoscopy and if required a CT SCAN of the abdomen should suffice and will be cost effective too.
you have been very lucky and disease free for 16 years almost now, so take it in a optimistic way.
Metastatic lesion in liver and pancreas or lymphnodes can be reasonably picked on CT Scan (if in doubt then PET would be worthwhile).
Though PET scan is more sensitive than conventional CT scan in looking for recurrence of disease in your case the chances of recurrences are low hence CT may suffice (especially if there is a monitory concern)
Hope this answers your query.
Best wishes.
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the query.
I understand your concern, especially in background of your sibling having had the same illness.
First and foremost thing is say good bye to your anxiety.
Learn to live stress free.
Regular walking, healthy life style will help you for same also it will help your bloat and pain.
Regarding checking out for disease recurrence doing a colonoscopy and if required a CT SCAN of the abdomen should suffice and will be cost effective too.
you have been very lucky and disease free for 16 years almost now, so take it in a optimistic way.
Metastatic lesion in liver and pancreas or lymphnodes can be reasonably picked on CT Scan (if in doubt then PET would be worthwhile).
Though PET scan is more sensitive than conventional CT scan in looking for recurrence of disease in your case the chances of recurrences are low hence CT may suffice (especially if there is a monitory concern)
Hope this answers your query.
Best wishes.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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