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Just Diagnosed With Colon Cancer

What tests are used to find a colorectal tumor?

There are many tests used to find colon cancer. Many of these tests are the same ones used to screen for colon cancer, such as:

  • Fecal occult blood test, a test used to find blood in the stool that can be caused by polyps, cancer, or hemorrhoids
  • Sigmoidoscopy, a thin, flexible lighted tube that goes inside the rectum. It is used to check the lower half of the colon and remove any polyps found
  • Colonoscopy, which is similar to a sigmoidoscopy, but it goes farther into the colon

Talk with your healthcare provider about the tests you may need.

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What is colon cancer staging?

After you have been diagnosed with colon cancer, your healthcare team will figure out the stage of the tumor. Colon cancer staging is used to describe if the cancer:

  • Has spread to nearby tissue, such as the lymph nodes
  • Has spread to other parts of the body

The stage of the cancer is used to help choose the treatment option that is right for you. Sometimes the stage of the tumor is not known until after the tumor is removed.

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What is a pathology report?

When a piece of tissue is taken from the body (a biopsy), it is examined by a type of doctor called a pathologist. He or she then writes a report about the findings. This is called a pathology report. It will tell your healthcare team the stage of the tumor and help your team know which treatment is best for you. Be sure to ask your healthcare team to give you a copy of the report and review it with you. And ask any questions you have about the results.

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