Who should have a multi-slice CT scan to screen for colon cancer?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Le Thao Tram - Diagnostic Imaging Doctor - Imaging Department - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.

1. Overview of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the large intestine (colon). The disease usually affects older adults, although it can occur at any age. It usually begins with small, noncancerous (benign) cell growths called polyps that form on the inside of the colon. Over time, some polyps can become colon cancer.
Because at the beginning of the disease, polyps can be very small and few, so the signs and symptoms of the disease are not obvious. Therefore, doctors often recommend regular screening tests to help screen for colon cancer by identifying and removing polyps before they turn into cancerous tumors.
If colon cancer is advanced, there are many treatments to help control the disease including surgery, radiation therapy, and drug treatments such as chemotherapy, or targeted cell therapy and immunotherapy.
The cause of colon cancer can begin when healthy cells in the colon grow along with changes in DNA. When there is a change in the DNA that will cause the cell to destroy and become cancerous, these cells continue to divide even when new cells are not needed. When these cells accumulate, they create a tumor. Over time, cancer cells can grow to invade and destroy nearby normal tissue and move to other parts of the body (metastasize).
As the disease progresses, some signs and symptoms will appear such as: diarrhea, constipation, change in stool quality, rectal bleeding or blood in stools, abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss reason...

2. Why should colon cancer screening?

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women. The disease mainly affects older people, but now it also has a higher incidence in younger people. From 2007 to 2016 the incidence rate decreased by 3.6% per year in people 55 years of age and older, but this rate increased by 2% per year in people under 55 years old. It is estimated that the mortality rate caused by this disease is about 53,200 cases. Therefore, colon cancer is the second leading cause of death in both men and women.
When colon cancer is detected early, the cure rate is very high. The 5-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is generally about 64%. However, this ratio can vary and depends on a number of factors. In addition, the 5-year survival rate for patients with locally advanced colon cancer is about 90%. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or organs or the lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is about 71%. If the cancer has spread to more distant parts of the body, the 5-year survival rate is about 14%.
Based on these factors, colon cancer screening plays an extremely important role in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The effectiveness of good colon cancer screening helps doctors find an early treatment plan that gives patients a better chance of survival.

3. What is virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography)?

Virtual colonoscopy uses low-dose radiation to look at the inside of the colon from all different angles. The results of this method allow reconstruction of the entire structure in the colon not only as two-dimensional images, but also reconstruct the entire structure in 3D images like flexible bronchoscopy, but without invasiveness. .

4. Advantages of virtual colonoscopy

One of the biggest advantages of virtual colonoscopy is that it uses a non-invasive technique that does not cause pain to the patient. In addition, this method has a number of other advantages such as:
Provides 2D and 3D images that can depict many polyps and other lesions as clearly as if they were seen directly by endoscopy usually, common, normal.
● Reduce the risk of colon perforation.
● Reduce the risk of complications from endoscopy, such as treatment with blood thinners or serious breathing problems.
Make it easier for elderly or sick patients to accept this method without effort.
● A virtual colonoscopy may be more feasible in cases where the bowel is narrow or obstructed for some reason, such as blocked by a tumor.
● Easy and fast implementation method.
● Abnormalities outside the colon can be detected, including early-stage malignancies in other organs as well as potentially dangerous conditions such as abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Virtual colonoscopy is easily accepted, so there is no need to use pain medication during the procedure.
● Inexpensive cost.
● There is no radiation in the patient's body after the test.
No side effects.

5. Who should have a multi-slice CT scan to screen for colon cancer?

People starting from the age of 30 up. In cases where there is a family history of colon cancer or colon polyps, screening can be done at a younger age.
● People with long-lasting digestive disorders accompanied by relapses.
● People with bloody stools and no clear cause can be identified.
● Patient was diagnosed with chronic colitis but did not respond to previous treatment regimens.
● The patient has had a colon polyp removed or has been diagnosed with a colon polyp without surgery.
Multi-slice CT scans provide accurate images to screen for colon cancer, but to provide accurate images and provide timely treatment, patients need to go to medical centers prestige, good professional quality to perform.
Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the general hospitals equipped with a system of modern machines with CT, X-ray, MRI machines,... in diagnostic and treatment techniques. , including detecting and screening for colon cancer and a number of other colon diseases. With a team of experienced and qualified medical doctors, they are able to perform CT scan techniques to diagnose colon diseases as well as many other diseases in the best way.
For advice and answers to all questions related to the CT scan for colon cancer screening as well as the medical examination and treatment process at Vinmec, please come directly to Vinmec Health System or register for an online examination. online HERE.
References: cancer.net, mayoclinic.org, radiologyinfo.org