Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 11/13/2006

Question
I'm just updating you on my situation as you requested. I was really stressed when I emailed you so I decided I would pay for my own virtual colonscopy to try and speed things up and get quicker results. That came back last week and said they have found a 7.5mm polypoid type lesion involving the proximal descending colon just distal of the splenic flexure also a 20 by 6 mm soft tissue filling defect involving the anterior wall of the midsigmoid colon and suggested endoscopy on the two. This made me more nervous but I just came back from my regular colonoscopy and when I came out of sedation the specialist said I was fine. I was shocked, even after telling him my virtual colonoscopy results he said he found absolutely nothing no polyps at all. Said my rectum and colon are perfect and it might of just been retained stool the virtual colonscopy picked up still being in shock but completely relived and happy I asked what could be causing symptoms he said hemmoroids and recommended I eat more fibre. I have two conflicting reports and all these symptoms still and all I need to do is eat fibre I find this so strange as nothing was given or attempted to take care of hemmroids if I have them. What do you make of all this? Sincerely
A Shocked, somewhat confused but happy and releived Steve  
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hi,
I have a colonoscopy scheduled for next month I'm a 35yr old male no previous history of cancer in family. I've been doing my own online research and come to the conclusion I have colon cancer most likely stage IV. I will list my symptoms here can you please be honest with me I just want to know if it could be anything else. I've been dealing with rectal bleeding for over 10 yrs now and Dr's kept saying constipation and than hemorrhoids but now I also have mucus discharge, narrow stools, have always tended to be fatigued which was blamed on lack of exercise, lately very gassy anally and orally. Dr has told me not to worry but with how long I've been dealing with blood in stool I think that's what they'll tell me it is. Can a oversize non cancerous polyp be an option or anything else? Thanks in advance for answering.
-----Answer-----
Absolutely! It may be as simple as hemorrhoids! Steve, colon cancer stage IV is a diagnosis based on BOTH clinical findings (including x-ray diagnostics, PET-scans and other scint.-scans, CT scans and MRI scans, ultrasound and the colonoscopy itself) AND the pathology report from any biopsy and/or surgical material available. At the moment nothing of all this is at hand so how on Earth did you reach this conclusion? I will not deny that colon cancer is a POSSIBILITY, but right now NOTHING more than that. When the colonoscopy has been done we will know more and be on firmer ground. Please do keep me posted!


Answer
Steve, I put much more faith in a regular colonoscopy than in a virtual one - in spite of being a technology fanatic - so if your colonoscopy did not show anything pathological, just rejoice! Remember even the people doing the virtual colonoscopy asked to have their findings checked and if possible confirmed and further investigated by a regular colonoscopy! So even they have a higher confidence in a regular one! Now that too has been done and nothing dangerous was found! So just relax and be happy! Take care & good luck!