What Is Colon Cancer? Cancerous growth in colon is known as colon cancer or bowel cancer. The Colon and rectum are parts of the large intestine. If rectum is involved along with colon, then it is called colorectal cancer or...
What Is Colon Cancer?
Cancerous growth in colon is known as colon cancer or bowel cancer. The Colon and rectum are parts of the large intestine. If rectum is involved along with colon, then it is called colorectal cancer or CRC.
Cases of colon or rectal cancer is increasing these days due certain risk factors or predisposing factors and lack of early screening. As colorectal cancers are not 100% curable, it’s better to prevent the risk factors of bowel cancer with lifestyle modification and screening tests than treating it.
What Are the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer?
Depending upon the location or site of tumor in the intestine or its metastasis to distant sites, various symptoms or sign may be seen that includes:
- Severe constipation
- Altered bowel habit (Color, consistency, shape or frequency of stool)
- Persistent diarrhea
- Blood in stools
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Anorexia
- Anemia
- Bleeding per rectum
- Bloating or fullness in abdomen
- Abdominal pain.
What Are the Uses of Pet Scan in Colorectal Cancer?
Cancerous cells exhibit altered growth and metabolism. PET Scan is typically used for the assessment and evaluation of metabolic and biochemical properties of tissues or organ. It is indicated for the following purpose in colorectal cancer:
- Cancer staging: PET scan may be used for staging of colorectal cancers.
- Detection of metastases: Secondary malignant growths at distant site from primary tumours is known as metastases. PET scan plays a crucial role in identification and localization of metastases.
- To monitor efficacy of treatment.
- To evaluate the prognosis of cancer patients.
- To check for Cancer recurrence post treatment.
How Do I Prepare for Pet Scan in Colorectal Cancer?
Follow these steps if you are going for a PET scan:
- Get an appointment: Fix an appointment in a Diagnostic center having the facility of PET scan as it is available in limited centers. Prior appointment also saves your time by avoiding waiting at the time of scan.
- Fasting: 6-7 hours fasting is required before PET test.
- Medications: Certain drugs may alter test results. Inform your doctor about all medications and supplements that you are currently taking.
- Caffeine: For 24-hours before the scan, avoid caffeinated products.
- Clothing: Wear clothes as comfortable as possible and that are easy to put on and off.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tell your doctor about pregnancy if you are pregnant or if you breastfed your baby so that your doctor can evaluate the risk vs benefit ratio.
- Allergy: Inform your Clinician about prior history of allergy to any drug or medications.
- Exercise: Don’t perform any strenuous exercise for 24-hours prior to your test.
- Smoking and tobacco: On the day of your scan, don’t smoke or chew tobacco products as nicotine present in these substances causes vasoconstriction and may alter the test results.
- Implants: Inform your doctor about any implant in your body such as cardiac implant, inner ear implants, metallic dentures, neurostimulators or any type of hearing aids etc.
- Claustrophobia and anxiety: If you have claustrophobia or anxiety disorder then don’t hesitate to tell your doctor. He may give you sedative or some alternatives to help overcome this while performing test.
- Medical reports: Don’t forget to carry all relevant medical reports along with you while going for PET scan. These reports may aid in better evaluation of your condition.
- Take a company: Get accompanied by a friend or family member to have mental, emotional and physical support and to drive you home.
What Is the Procedure for Pet Scan in Colorectal Cancer?
The procedure of PET scan includes the following steps:
- Written consent is required before the procedure begins.
- You will be then asked to change your clothes and wear a gown provided by the technician assisting the procedure.
- You will be asked to remove all the metallic elements like jewellery, hearing aids, metallic hair clips, metallic underwired bras, wallets, keys, coins, cards containing metallic strips, belts, goggles etc.
- An intravenous injection of radiopharmaceutical agent usually FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) is given to you.
- You will be then asked to sit quietly for about an hour to allow the radiotracer agent to get distributed to your body tissues and organs via bloodstream. The radioactive agent gets accumulated in areas of high metabolic activity such as cancerous tissues.
- If PET-CT is being scheduled then you may get another intravenous injection of a contrast agent which yield high clarity images on CT scan.
- You may be provided with head phones or ear plugs to make you feel more comfortable.
- If you have Claustrophobia or anxiety disorder, then you may be given sedatives or some other alternatives to make you feel comfortable during the scan.
- Before scan, your assisting Doctor will explain about all the possible adverse effects of using radiopharmaceutical or contrast material such as itching, rash, swelling etc. Your KFT report will be required to rule out any kidney disease/pathology and to check your GFR.
- Then you will be asked to lie supine on the examination table which will slide and place you inside the scanner.
- You need to lie still during the procedure as body movements may interfere with the quality of images produced.
- Your Radiologist will take several images to evaluate the underlying pathology and at the end these images will be interpreted for making a definite diagnosis.
Time taken for PET scan in colorectal cancer?
The whole procedure of PET scan takes approximately 2 hours. Up to 60 minutes are required to begin the scanning procedure after giving an intravenous radioactive agent. However, the actual process of PET scan takes approx. 30-40 minutes.
Also, it may last longer depending upon the severity of your illness and associated co-morbid conditions.
What happens after PET scan?
Once the imaging is over you may be allowed to exit the scanner room and asked to wait in the observation room for some time, to check for any possible side effect of radioactive or contrast agent being used. You should drink water to clear out the radiotracer or contrast agent from your body.
Cost of PET scan in Delhi?
Price of PET scan generally varies with city and location. Various diagnostic and imaging centers charges differently according to the quality of machines they provide and the offers currently availing in them. Pet Scan charges also vary with the body part which need to be examined and the type of PET scan.
PET scan test is an advanced diagnostic and monitoring tool that is available at limited diagnostic centers as it requires costly and modern equipments and skilled Radiologists to perform the scan.
To choose the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Delhi. Click here!
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is now offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan test.
Various PET scan prices at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC)are as following:
- Whole Body PET Scan
Rs 23900- Rs 11950 BOOK NOW
- FDG-PET Scan
Rs23900-Rs 11950 BOOK NOW
- F-18 Choline PET Scan
Rs37000-Rs 18500 BOOK NOW
- Brain PET Scan
Rs23900- Rs 11950 BOOK NOW
- Dopa Brain PET Scan
Rs37000- Rs 18500 BOOK NOW
- PET Viability Scan Cardiac
Rs27000-Rs 13500 BOOK NOW
- PSMA PET Scan For Prostate
Rs35000- Rs 17500 BOOK NOW
- Cardiac PET Scan
Rs27000-Rs 13500 BOOK NOW
- DOTA PET SCAN
Rs37000-Rs 18500 BOOK NOW
Best diagnostic center for PET scan?
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is considered as the best diagnostic center for PET scan in Rohini, Delhi.
We are having the facility of different types of PET scan including:
PET Viability Scan CardiacCardiac PET Scan
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Center is a NABH and NABL accredited top diagnostic center situated in ROHINI and various other locations of Delhi. It is equipped with modern, highly expensive machines with latest cutting-edge technologies and highly skilled Radiologists and Pathologists.
Currently, we are offering 50% discount on all types of PET scan. We are open 24X7 and 365 days. You can also get free online or offline Consultation with our Senior Radiologist, Dr. Ravin Sharma regarding any imaging and scanning test.
We also offer facilities of online reporting, free home sample collection and free Ambulance services in Delhi, NCR. We are also empanelled with various departments and organizations. So, you can get the services at panel rate too.
For more details visit your nearest Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) today or call us now!
Hurry! Grab the best deals now!
We are also empanelled with different departments including:
- DAK
- CGHS NHA
- ECHS
- NDMC
- DELHI JAL BOARD
- RAILWAYS
- NDMC
- DGEHS
- BSES YAMUNA / RAJDHANI POWER LTD
- TATA POWER LTD
- BABA SAHEB AMBEDKAR HOSPITAL
- BJRM HOSPITAL
- BHAGWAN MAHAVIR GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL
To know more details about our empanellment with different organisations. CLICK HERE
FAQs Related to Colon Cancer & Pet Scan:
How much time taken for PET scan report?
You will get reports on the next day. However, you can get the image films on the same day if required by your doctor.
Risks/Side effects of PET scan in colon cancer?
PET scan is a safe procedure. The radioactivity in the radiopharmaceutical agent is very low and it doesn’t stay for longtime in your body. Drinking water can help to flush the radiotracer faster from your body.
However, some concerns about PET scan are as follows:
- Allergic reactions to radiotracer or contrast agent, although rare but can happen in some individuals. However, these allergic reactions are usually mild.
- Diabetic patients have low level of insulin (help in transport of glucose across cells). Insulin deficiency may lead to low absorption of FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) which may alter test results. So, inform your doctor before test.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid certain medications and test for the safety of baby. Ask your doctor before undergoing PET scan.
What are the risk factors for colon cancer?
There are several risk factors for the development of colorectal or bowel cancer such as:
- Family history of colon or rectal cancer
- Old age
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Male sex
- Smoking
- Alcohol intake
- Intake of fatty meals
- High sugar consumption
- Obesity
- Consumption of red meat
- Diseases such as:
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Genetic disorders:
- HNPCC (Hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer).
- FAP (Familial adenomatosis polyposis).
What is the difference between screening tests and diagnostic tests for colon cancer?
Screening tests are used to screen or look for colon cancer before the appearance of signs and symptoms of bowel cancer. It is advised to undergo regular screening tests starting from 45 years till 75 years of age.
However, screening is initiated earlier in some people especially those belonging to the high-risk group for colon cancer. These tests help in early screening and determine the need of further testing if reports are abnormal.
Whereas, diagnostic tests are performed when you have sign or symptoms of colon cancer or if the screening tests are found to be suspicious or abnormal.
How is screening done for colon cancer?
Tests available for screening colon cancer or colorectal cancer includes:
- Colonoscopy.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy.
- Stool examination for occult blood.
- Fecal DNA test (FIT-DNA).
- Special X-rays called virtual colonoscopy to check for ulcers, polyps or tumours.
What is the prognosis of colon cancer?
Prognosis of colon or colorectal cancer depends upon many variables such as:
- Stage of tumor
- Response to treatment
- Patient age
- Presence of Co-morbid conditions
- Metastasis.
5-year survival rate in case of localized colorectal cancer is 91% whereas 5-year survival rate in case of local metastasis to regional lymph nodes aur adjacent areas is 73%. In case of distant metastasis, the 5-year survival rate is 14%.
How colon cancer is diagnosed?
Diagnosis of colon cancer is done using multiple tests that includes:
- Blood examination:
- CBC (Complete blood count)
- CEA assay (Carcinoembryonic antigen): Act as tumor marker.
- Metabolic panel.
- Imaging tests:
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- MRI
- CT scan
- PET scan.
- Histopathological examination:
- Tissue biopsy.
