Colon Cancer/Polyps Question - Please help if you know...?
Question:
The specialist is getting him in on Wedsday morning, but is doing another exam and a sonogram - not a colonoscopy.
Why is he doing a sonogram instead of going ahead with a colonoscopy? If you've gone through this, does that seem like it's probably less serious or more serious? Or is that standard before a colonoscopy is done?
I'm worried - he's only 48, but has been having shortness of breath, diarriah, and side pain for about a month.
Answers:
It could be as simple as impacted feces. Signs pointing to a colon cancer include progressive decrease in stool caliber, constipation, abdominal distension (if there is obstruction). Colon polyps dont usually present with a palpable mass. It usually presents with painless blood streaked stool. The only reason I can think of why a sonogram is initially used is to determine the consistency of the mass. If it is solid or a cyst, or to find out roughly where it is. Personally, I would go ahead with the colonoscopy since the sonography is less sensitive/specific. Ask your doctor why this has to be done, I sure he has a good reason.
He possibly just wants to see if he can tell where the mass is coming from and what it looks like via ultrasound first... I would assume that he will schedule a colonoscopy after the u/s is finished, if he doesn't get the answers he is looking for... I hope everything turns out for the best... Good Luck
On which side is your husband's pain?? Left or right? I think the most likely reason for an ultrasound rather than a colonoscopy is that colonoscopies are an invasive procedure and sonograms are not. A positive ultrasound will justify further investigation. And it may be that the colon isn't directly involved after all but the mass is causing pressure or affecting the colon in some other way.
Before you worry that this is a cancer question, you should also know that polyps that become malignant are adenomas. There are sub-types: tubular, villous and tubulo-villous. The polyps that are most likely to become malignant are those that grow to 2cm (1 inch) and larger and polyps that are villous adenomas. Tubular adenomas are the least likely to become malignant.
Wait and see what the ultrasound reveals. Whatever it turns out to be, chances are it's treatable. I'll keep you both in my thoughts.
Hi there-
Is your husband having any other symptoms beside the pain in the abdomen or diarrhea? The shortness of breath may not be related to this. The symptoms you described could be one of many things. More information regarding his symptoms would help determine what he might have. Does he have a hard time passing his stool? Any blood in the stool? Any mucus? There are many things it could be with the symptoms you described. Here are a list of the few possibilities; Giardiasis, muscle strain, celiac disease, colon cancer, crohn's disease, gas pains, lactose intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.
Keep in mind I am not a doctor or a nurse however, good research on the Internet provides me with some possible answers. A colonoscopy for a man of his age should be mandatory whether they have symptoms or not. Colon cancer is prominent in men. Get him checked out!
a sonogram will give the doctors a better idea of just what they are dealing with.
Do not worry about the fact that he is doing a sonogram first. Best to rule out things before but at his age it may be a good time to get started with a conoscopy too. Just for peace of mind as it will detect many things.
48 is young. I am 45 and have colon cancer but I also found out that there is a family history of it for me.
I am no doctor. Just one who has gone through a bit with much more to come.
Ask questions of your doctor. No question is foolish! You pay him so get all you can from him with answers to your questions and to address your concerns.
My best to you!
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