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What You Need to Know about  Cancer of the Colon and Rectum

To help find the cause of symptoms, the doctor evaluates a person's medical history. The doctor also performs a physical exam and may order one or more diagnostic tests.

• X-rays of the large intestine, such as the DCBE, can reveal polyps or other changes.
• A sigmoidoscopy lets the doctor see inside the rectum and the lower colon and remove polyps or other abnormal tissue for examination under a microscope.
• A colonoscopy lets the doctor see inside the rectum and the entire colon and remove polyps or other abnormal tissue for examination under a microscope.
• A polypectomy is the removal of a polyp during a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
• A biopsy is the removal of a tissue sample for examination under a microscope by a pathologist to make a diagnosis.

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