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Health Information

Understanding Your Diagnosis

• Digestive Diagnostic Procedures
  

  Detailed information on the most common procedures used to diagnosis digestive disorders

• How Your Health Care Provider Uses Biopsies to Make a Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer
  

  If a biopsy shows cancer is present, further tests will most likely be recommended to check if the tumor has spread. These tests include a CT scan of the abdomen and liver MRI scans, or ultrasound, to check if the tumor has spread. Certain blood tests may also be conducted.

• Biopsy
  

  Detailed information on biopsy, including the most common types of biopsy such as endoscopic biopsy, bone marrow biopsy, excisional biopsy, incisional biopsy, fine needle aspiration biopsy, punch biopsy, shave biopsy, and skin biopsy

• Sigmoidoscopy
  

  A sigmoidoscopy is a procedure that allows the physician to examine the lower one-third of the large intestine and is helpful in identifying the causes of diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, abnormal growths, and bleeding.

• Colonoscopy
  

  A colonoscopy uses a small camera to examine the inside of the colon. It is typically used to screen for colon cancer, and to asses other injuries, abnormalities, or disease.

• Barium Enema
  

  A barium enema is used to highlight damage or abnormalities in the colon and rectum by creating greater areas of contrast in x-ray film.

• I’ve Just Been Told I Have Colorectal Cancer
  
• Understanding Your Type of Colorectal Cancer
  
• Understanding Your Stage of Colorectal Cancer
  
• What Are the 5-Year Survival Rates for People With Colorectal Cancer?
  
• Tests That Help Evaluate Colorectal Cancer