What tests will be done for bowel cancer? Bowel cancer: mandatory tests and studies. Video, colon cancer, treatment breakthrough

Colon cancer is a malignant neoplasm originating from the epithelium of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. Clinical picture The disease depends on the location of the tumor. For example, with gastric cancer, pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting will come first.

When the pathological process is localized in small intestine patients, as a rule, complain of pain in the middle of the anterior surface of the abdominal wall and stool disorders in the form of diarrhea. The most common oncological pathology of the colon.

With its development, there is a tendency to constipation, an imperative urge to defecate and discharge of blood from the anus.

For successful treatment of this type of pathology, it is very great importance has timely diagnosis of the process.

To identify gastrointestinal cancer, laboratory and instrumental methods are used, which are prescribed depending on the clinical symptoms.

Laboratory research

1 Blood analysis for intestinal cancer is very important in identifying this pathology. Despite the fact that hemogram indicators are nonspecific, they are often the factor that forces the doctor to send the patient for additional studies.

Carrying out such screening, first of all, it is possible to identify low hemoglobin and, conversely, increased ESR. They are unique markers in the diagnosis of oncological pathology of almost any localization.

2 After a general analysis, blood must be drawn for biochemistry. This study is necessary to determine whether pathological process liver and whether the patient can undergo surgery.

3 Analysis of urine has much less clinical significance, but it is performed in order to exclude other variants of malignant neoplasms.

4 . It is mandatory to take the patient’s stool for laboratory testing. In this biological substance, indirect signs of a malignant process in the intestine can be detected.

First, the shape and color of the feces are taken into account. If they are released in a narrow stripe, and even with an admixture of blood or mucus, then the diagnosis of colon cancer is very likely.

In medicine, there is even a special term - ribbon-shaped feces.

Instrumental studies

Be that as it may, laboratory tests cannot be considered specific when diagnosing an oncological tumor.

The indication for surgery can only be the result of an instrumental study, preferably with morphological verification.

Today, this trend in medicine has become quite widespread and there are quite a few a large number of methods of instrumental diagnosis of intestinal cancer.

1 The “gold standard” for examining a patient with suspected malignant neoplasm of the digestive tract is currently considered endoscopic methods diagnostics For example, if we are talking about pathology of the upper intestines, then the patient must undergo fibrogastroduodenoscopy.

Using the latter, you can not only visualize a malignant neoplasm, but also take a sample of it for morphological examination. In case of pathology of the large intestine, fibrocolonoscopy is performed, which provides the same possibilities. The situation is a little more complicated with the pathology of the small intestine, which can only be diagnosed using ultra-modern methods such as capsule endoscopy.

The latter involves the introduction through the mouth of a small capsule with a camera, which, passing through the alimentary canal, takes pictures of its mucous membrane in different parts.

2 X-ray studies. Using this technique, it is possible to detect malignant neoplasms of almost any location. The main thing is to apply this technique correctly. For example, plain radiography rarely gives comprehensive results, so it is necessary to use contrast techniques.

They involve the introduction of a mixture of barium sulfate into the lumen of a hollow organ, which gives a clear image on x-ray film.

3 The next stage in the development of X-ray research is use of multislice tomograms. We are talking about computer and magnetic resonance imaging. The techniques allow you to take the same x-rays, only in a larger number of projections and sections of the human body.

This then gives the doctor a clear idea of ​​the position, size and spread of the tumor. Nowadays, all plans for surgical interventions are formed only on the basis of these methods.

4 The technique is quite ancient, but for some types of diseases it gives very good diagnostic results. For example, in the case when it is necessary to distinguish a malignant tumor from an intestinal cyst or cystoma.

In such a situation, a special contrast agent is injected into the abdominal artery and a routine x-ray examination of the specified area is performed. With a cancer, a space-occupying formation with increased blood flow will be visualized, and with a cystoma, on the contrary, a formation with reduced blood circulation. This information is important, first of all, for the oncologist, who is faced with the task of determining the need for surgical intervention.

5 Biopsy with morphological verification of the diagnosis. If possible and with a sufficient level of technical support, it is necessary to try to puncture the space-occupying lesion and take a section of its tissue for morphological analysis.

This is necessary in order to determine the structure of the malignant tumor, which is very important when prescribing chemotherapy.

26.10.2018

Every year, approximately 50 thousand people around the world are diagnosed with bowel cancer.

The main reason for the high mortality rate of patients with this diagnosis is too late diagnosis, when the tumor is detected at stages 3-4. Rcarry out regular examinations, including blood tests, which allows you to take timely measures. There are different diagnostic methods, among which one of the most common is a blood test.

There are several types of analysis when oncological diseases different localizations, which allow not only to confirm or refute suspicions, but, in the presence of cancer, to establish the stage and severity of the process.

It is important that a blood test for intestinal cancer will indicate the disease even at the beginning of its development. This will be a reason to undergo a more serious examination.

If the blood test is positive for cancer, you need to take another blood test to rule out a false result.

Diagnosis involves three types of blood tests:

• general analysis (clinical);
• biochemical analysis;
• analysis for tumor markers.

Blood chemistry

The first way to determine that the rectum and other segments of the intestine are affected by a malignant tumor is a biochemical analysis. If a tumor in the intestine is suspected, pay attention to the following indicators:

• total protein - shows the level of concentration of proteins consisting of amino acids. With intestinal diseases, protein levels decrease;
• hemoglobin – oncological changes will be indicated by a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood;
• haptoglobin – with intestinal tumors, an increase in haptoglobin is observed in the blood;
• urea - an increase in the level of urea in the blood indicates intestinal obstruction. This condition may be a sign of colorectal cancer;
• other indicators, the level of which exceeds or does not reach the norm, may indicate oncology and other diseases.

General blood test indicators

The purpose of a clinical blood test for suspected cancer is to detect anemia, which in itself may indicate the presence of bleeding from a tumor in the intestine. In this situation, anemia is considered likely sign cancer, a patient with such test results is referred to a gastroenterologist.

Doctors pay special attention to patients with anemia of unknown origin in men over 45 years of age and women in menopause. In case of colorectal cancer, a blood test can reveal chronic anemia, in case of rectal cancer - the appearance of anemia.

In addition to anemia, a general blood test can reveal increased level leukocytes. This result indicates the presence of an inflammatory process that has been developing in the body for a long time.

For any location and form of cancer, the results of a general blood test can provide important information for the doctor in the following areas:

• characteristics of the body;
• course of the disease;
• tumor location and tumor type (benign or malignant).

Indicators in a general blood test indicate the growth of a malignant tumor in the intestine:

1. Changes in the composition and level of leukocytes in the blood. The doctor notes that the patient has an increased total number of leukocytes. Sometimes a myeloblast or lymphoblast is detected, which may be signs of a malignant tumor.
2. An increase in ESR levels will indicate intestinal cancer if the erythrocyte sedimentation rate does not decrease after antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy.
3. A decrease in hemoglobin levels (anemia) indirectly indicates the presence of an intestinal tumor.

The indicators themselves cannot be a reason to confirm suspicions of colon cancer. Similar abnormalities in blood tests can be detected in other diseases.

Blood test for tumor markers

A more informative blood test for cancer in the intestines is a tumor marker test. Oncological markers are proteins that are a product of the vital activity of malignant cells.Such antigens will be different for each organ; in general, their identification indicates the presence of a malignant neoplasm. There are cases when an increase in the level of antigens is detected during the inflammatory process in the intestines.

A blood test for tumor markers allows you to:

• establish the nature of the tumor (benign or malignant);
• identify the stage of development of the disease, determine the size of the tumor;
• determine how the body reacts to cancer;
• monitor the effectiveness of therapy.

If malignant intestinal tumors are suspected, attention is paid to 2 tumor markers: CEA and CA-19-9 antigen. The first of them (carcinoembryonic antigen) can signal not only intestinal cancer, but indicate oncological damage to other organs: lungs, liver, breast, prostate, lungs, cervix, etc.

With a malignant tumor, the CEA indicator increases, at the beginning of the disease it grows more actively, then gradually. Even healthy people CEA may be slightly higher than normal if a person has cirrhosis of the liver or smokes.

The CA-19-9 antigen can be detected, indicating cancer of the intestines, stomach and pancreas. This tumor marker increases during inflammation in the stomach, liver, benign tumors and cystic fibrosis.

Additional examinations will help to finally confirm or, fortunately, refute the diagnosis.If the levels of both tumor markers listed above are constantly increasing, this indicates that the tumor in the intestine is progressing. If the tumor markers in the blood test results decrease, we can talk about a positive response to treatment.

The importance of tumor markers in diagnosing cancer should not be overestimated, since medicine knows cases where the results are elevated, but no malignant processes are observed in the patient. Therefore, analysis for tumor markers is better considered an important additional diagnostic method, which is used in combination with other methods.

Signs of bowel cancer

In order to identify oncology even before a blood test, you need to know what signs precede the appearance and growth of oncological tumors. Early diagnosis for any form of cancer is critical to successful treatment and survival.

To prevent the development of a tumor in the intestine, to prevent its growth to an inoperable stage, you need to remember the symptoms that should make you wary and consult a doctor.

You should not make decisions about treatment on your own, you should not diagnose yourself - this important point you need to trust a specialist. The reasons to pay attention to your own health are the following situations:

• irregular bowel movements, changing the nature of bowel movements from constipation to diarrhea and back;
• the presence of impurities of vomit, mucus and pus in the stool;
• pallor of the skin, sudden weight loss of the patient, anemia in the results of a blood test;
• weakness, fatigue with minimal physical effort;
• pain in the anus;
• an increase in temperature over a long period of time, the cause of which has not been established.

The listed symptoms are a reason to consult a doctor. The specialist will order a blood test, conduct an examination, and prescribe an x-ray or colonoscopy. Diagnostic measures will help to establish the cause of the identified symptoms and prescribe adequate treatment.

You can take a rapid test at home to detect occult blood in your stool. The tests are inexpensive and are sold in pharmacies in different types. The result will be ready within 10 minutes; instructions for the test are included in the package.

Even if the test reveals blood in the stool, this is not a reason to panic. This picture is typical for various diseases, not only cancer. This is a reason to contact a specialist. It is important for patients considered to be at risk for bowel cancer to undergo regular examinations in order to catch the disease at an early stage if necessary.

The risk group for intestinal tumors includes people suffering from various intestinal diseases, smokers, as well as those whose family includes people with cancer.

Those who have been diagnosed with cancer of any stage should not give up; those who believe in a favorable prognosis and try with all their might to think about the good win the disease.

There are many ways to determine the presence of cancer cells in the body. But the most commonly used is a blood test, especially for bowel cancer.

In most cases, a blood test is prescribed when some symptoms appear that indicate the appearance of a malignant tumor in the intestine.

These symptoms include:

1. Bleeding. In most cases, bleeding is not noticeable. It can only be seen when passing stool, and also when it intensifies.
2. Problems with stool. For each person they manifest themselves individually, for some it is constipation, and for others, on the contrary, diarrhea.
3. Feeling of incomplete bowel movement.
4. Gas incontinence, especially during exercise.
5. Fecal incontinence, which is very disturbing to a person.
6. Bloating.
7. , which can be either partial or complete.
8. Painful sensations in the abdominal area. Moreover, the pain is cramping.
9. Vomiting, which does not occur with the contents of the stomach, but with the contents of the intestines.
10. General weakness, as well as anemia.
11. Weight loss due to nutrients are not absorbed.

There are several factors that can negatively affect the human body and cause the development of intestinal cancer.

These include:

• Age. The majority of people diagnosed with colon cancer are in the age group of 60 to 70 years.
• Heredity. If someone in the family has had intestinal cancer or any other type of cancer, then the likelihood of matting of cells increases.
• Frequent colitis.
• Smoking. It is known that tobacco smoke can provoke cell mutation, and as a result, the risk of getting sick increases.
• Poor nutrition, namely eating a lot of fatty foods.
• Vitamin deficiency, namely vitamin B6.
• Frequent constipation. This can include cases when a person comes to drink laxatives in order to go to the toilet.

If the above symptoms appear, a person may be referred for blood tests to determine the cause of such disorders.

More information about bowel cancer can be found in the video.

Types of blood tests for bowel cancer

In order to determine whether a person has intestinal cancer or not, it is necessary to do several blood tests, including:

1. Analysis for tumor markers

Each of these tests individually is unlikely to tell a person anything, but taken together, when comparing the results obtained, doctors can accurately determine the presence of cancer cells, as well as their location.

Moreover, in some cases, patients have to retake tests several times to get the most reliable results.

A biochemical blood test is performed not only when there is a suspicion of intestinal cancer.

Among all cancer diseases, rectal cancer ranks first. A blood test for colorectal cancer is one of the main ways to determine the disease. Timely treatment can prevent the development of the disease. It is recommended to donate blood for analysis in one laboratory, since different clinics use different equipment and the indicators of the diagnostic method may differ.

Who needs blood tests for colorectal cancer?

Taking into account the individual characteristics of the human body, each person manifests itself differently. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. If pathological abnormalities appear in the intestines, you should consult a doctor and take a blood test for cancer. It is done for the following symptoms:

• defecation disorder;
• bloating;
• increased body temperature;
• discharge with elements of blood or pus;
• anemia;
• vomit;
• intestinal obstruction;
• cramping pain in the abdomen.

What tests are taken?

There are three types of studies that can detect the disease in the first stages of development:

• general analysis (clinical);
• biochemical research;
• testing for tumor markers.

The indices of these analyzes indicate deviations and pathological changes in the body. When the results do not correspond to the accepted norm, even if only slightly, doctors refer for additional examinations.

Biochemistry: data assessment

With this blood analysis, the current composition of the blood is examined and deviations in the functioning of internal organs and systems are determined. The table shows substances contained in human blood that confirm the presence of malignant neoplasms in the rectum:

General blood analysis

Blood is taken from the ring finger, and for testing more indicators - from a vein. Investigated for presence posthemorrhagic anemia. Anemia was found in 75% of patients with cancer. There is no need to draw your own conclusions and prescribe treatment; only a doctor prescribes the necessary therapy. The table shows a general blood test and its interpretation:

The following results indicate the development of malignant tumors in the intestines:

• Anemia. A sharp decrease in hemoglobin levels.
• ESR. Its increased coefficient confirms the presence of cancer cells, if it does not fall during treatment with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents.
• Leukocytosis. Their increased number may indicate a malignant tumor.

Cancer manifests itself in the human body in the most different ways. But its presence can only be confirmed with the help of appropriate clinical studies. Many patients who suspect this terrible disease are interested in whether it is possible to determine cancer by a blood test, in particular, intestinal cancer? With the help of modern methods of blood diagnostics, it is possible, and with the highest degree of truthfulness of the diagnosis.

Collapse

Evidence that it will be impossible to do without this study is the appearance of the first symptoms that can indicate the presence of a malignant neoplasm in the intestine. First of all, these are pronounced problems with stool, when there are no prerequisites for this. For example, it could be prolonged constipation or, on the contrary, diarrhea. It all depends on the individual characteristics of each organism.

Symptoms include a persistent feeling of incomplete bowel movements, constant bloating, increased gas production and difficulty retaining gas. In addition to flatulence, fecal incontinence can also be observed - this greatly interferes with a person’s daily life.

More obvious symptoms include partial or complete intestinal obstruction, vomiting (and the vomit is filled not with the contents of the stomach, but with the contents of the intestine itself), weakness, increased fatigue, and anemia. Bleeding from the anus appears, although at an early stage of cancer development it is virtually invisible, since...

Cancer significantly reduces the functionality of the intestines. The human body can no longer absorb useful elements, isolating them from incoming food. The result is rapid weight loss, regardless of how well the patient eats.

Although bowel cancer is not very common, many people are at risk and, in some cases, have no control over it. Provoking factors traditionally include:

• heredity - if someone in the family has already had this disease, it is quite possible that the genetic information about it was inherited;
• age-related changes - deterioration in human health, which is caused by age, can lead to a weakening of immune mechanisms and, as a result, the development of cancer cells in the intestines. This disease mainly affects people aged 60 to 70 years;
• Smoking abuse – nicotine entering the body promotes cell mutation. And this is a direct path to the development of cancer;
• poor nutrition - too fatty foods should be excluded from the diet, since fat cells tend to deposit on the walls of the intestine, disrupting its functionality and microflora;
• deficiency of vitamins, in particular, vitamin B6, which is extremely important for the intestines;
• chronic colitis;
• excessively frequent and other problems with digestive function.

Today, there are several options for studying this fluid, which will help determine the degree and complexity of oncology. Moreover, this procedure can reveal certain changes even at the very beginning of the disease.

If the analysis shows any deviations from the norm, even the most insignificant ones, this is still a reason for further and more detailed examination of the patient.

Intestinal cancer can be determined using three main blood tests:

• Biochemical

This most common method will detect almost any problem arising in the gastrointestinal tract. With its help, the current composition of the blood is determined, thanks to which it will not be difficult to notice any deviations.

To diagnose this disease, experts pay special attention to the following indicators:

• total protein - shows the concentration of proteins in the blood. With oncology, this figure usually decreases;
• urea – high content this substance may indicate intestinal obstruction, that is, one of the symptoms of cancer in the anorectal area;
• hemoglobin - blood anemia can signal the growth of tumors in the body;
• Haptoglobin - the level of this substance, on the contrary, will increase if cancer cells are present.

All other indicators may also have certain deviations in gastrointestinal cancer, but in most cases they indicate problems of a different kind, and therefore they are not considered through the prism of cancer.

• General analysis blood

Despite popular belief, clinical analysis can also be an assistant in identifying cancer changes in the body. First of all, here it is necessary to talk about anemia, that is, a rapid decrease in hemoglobin. Anemia is a possible symptom of a tumor in the intestine.

Many patients believe that a drop in hemoglobin is not a big deal. In many cases, this is actually true, since such a condition can be triggered even by ordinary overwork. However, to an experienced doctor, anemia speaks volumes. The patient in whom it was discovered is immediately sent for a series of additional studies. This is especially true for middle-aged and older patients.

It should be noted that anemia can manifest itself in different ways, depending on the characteristics of the cancer. For example, colorectal oncology provokes a chronic decrease in hemoglobin levels, while a malignant tumor is accompanied by early anemia.

In addition to hemoglobin, there are other blood test indicators for intestinal cancer that pay special attention to:

• leukocytosis – a sharp change in the number of leukocytes in the body. An increase in white blood cells indicates an inflammatory process. In oncology, there is a multiple increase in leukocytes. In some cases, it is also possible to develop lymphoblastoma or myeloblastoma. This is almost guaranteed to indicate the presence of a malignant neoplasm;
• ESR - increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate is another symptom of cancer. Moreover, this indicator may not return to normal, even after high-quality antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy.

A general blood test will help answer a number of questions, namely, what is the current state of the body, whether there are certain features in it that need to be given due attention, how the disease progresses and what stage of development it has, the location of the neoplasm, as well as the type of tumor.

Despite the fact that a clinical analysis can easily answer the question of whether doctors are dealing with a malignant or benign formation, it is not possible to make an accurate diagnosis on the basis of this study. A general analysis can only provide important information, confirming or refuting the fears of specialists, but in any case, the patient still faces many studies and diagnostic procedures.

To date this is the most effective method determine the presence of cancer in the intestines. Tumor markers are specific protein compounds, that is, amino acids, which are nothing more than a product of the vital activity of cancer cells. Their appearance is almost guaranteed to indicate that the body is affected by this disease. It is also important that the antigen for each individual organ has its own specificity, that is, it will not be difficult to find out the location of the tumor.

However, tumor markers can also appear with very strong inflammatory processes in the human intestine. This contributes to making an incorrect diagnosis, since not only the patient himself, but even the doctor will be misled.

A blood test for intestinal oncology, aimed at searching for tumor markers, makes it possible to diagnose a serious illness at the earliest stages of development. Consequently, the prognosis for treatment will almost always be favorable, naturally, if the patient approaches it with due responsibility.

The research contributes to:

• accurately determine the type of tumor - benign or malignant (the former does not have tumor markers);
• determine the type of reaction of the body to the presence of cancer cells (ignoring, active fight, expressed in inflammation, etc.);
• establish the size of the tumor, as well as the stage of its development;
• carry out effective monitoring of the treatment process and, if necessary, make important adjustments.

There are two types of tumor markers that are highly likely to indicate colon cancer. First of all, we are talking about carcinoembryonic antigen. In the presence of malignant tumors, the level of this tumor marker increases exponentially and does not decrease until the patient is cured or dies. The disadvantage of studying carcinoembryonic antigen is that it can also indicate oncology of the mass of other organs:

• liver;
• prostate gland;
• cervix;
• Bladder;
• lungs;
• breasts;
• pancreas.

In addition, a slight increase in the level of this antigen is typical for people who abuse smoking, as well as those suffering from liver cirrhosis.

CA-19-9 - the isolation of this tumor marker in the human body helps to narrow the circle of potential “culprits” for the development of oncology. The antigen can indicate not only intestinal cancer, but also a tumor of the stomach or pancreas. An increase in its level in the blood may also indicate cystic fibrosis and benign neoplasms in the stomach or liver.

If both tumor markers are characterized by an increase in their presence in the blood, this may indicate the development of cancer. A decrease in level demonstrates the positive effect of the applied therapeutic or surgical treatment.

Diagnosing cancer using a blood test is not a panacea. Each patient must understand that in any case he still has to undergo a lot of different studies, for example. Today, blood tests are only an addition to more complex and time-consuming diagnostic methods. But at the same time, it will be impossible to do without it, unless, of course, the desire of the patient and the doctor himself is to make the correct diagnosis.

A blood test can determine intestinal oncology, but it can also indicate a number of other pathologies that are not malignant in nature.