Procedure: Virtual Colonoscopy
 Purpose:
To detect cancer and polyps (small growths
that may become cancerous) in the colon.
More than 95% of all colon cancers start as
benign polyps that gradually transform to a
malignant state over a ten to fifteen year
period.
For whom appropriate: Men
and women 50 or older. Younger individuals with the following
risk factors should also be considered:
- Family
history of colon cancer
- Personal
history of inflammatory bowel disease
- Personal
history of endometrial and/or breast cancer
For whom NOT appropriate:
Anyone with:
-
Personal history of polyps
- Suspected
colonic perforation
- Suspected
toxic megacolon
- Recent
colonic biopsy
- Suspected
Hirschsprung's disease
- Suspected
acute diverticulitis
- Suspected
colitis, all causes
- Suspected
colonic fistula
- Previous
anal, rectal and/or colonic surgery
Significance:
- Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed form
of cancer in the United States. It is second only to lung
cancer as a cancer cause of death.
- In excess of 50,000 Americans
die each year from colon cancer.
- Approximately 5% of all Americans
will be diagnosed with colon cancer at some time in their life
- Smoking, drinking, a sedentary
lifestyle, obesity, and a diet high in fats and low in
fruits and vegetables all increase the risk of colon cancer.
- Colon cancer progresses very
slowly, which means the survival/cure rate can be
as high as 90% if the cancer is detected early. Unfortunately,
less than half of the U.S. population over the age of
50 has ever had any screening for colon cancer, and less
than 20% of this population has ever had a colonoscopy.
Advantages of Virtual Colonoscopy vs.
Traditional Colonoscopy:
- Virtual Colonoscopy
visualizes 100% of the interior and exterior colon. Traditional
colonoscopy typically visualizes only 80% of the interior colon,
as it is unable to see behind colon folds, where polyps may hide.
Additionally, in approximately 5% of all cases, the patient’s
colon is too long to allow traditional colonoscopy to reach the
cecum (the beginning of the colon) .
-
Traditional colonoscopy requires
the insertion of a 5 foot long scope in the patient’s rectum, with
the attendant possible risk of colon perforation. Virtual
Colonoscopy requires the insertion of a 1 inch catheter to allow
for the introduction of carbon dioxide to inflate the colon.
- Traditional colonoscopy
requires the administration of anesthesia, with all its attendant
potential complications and activity restrictions for the
remainder of the day . Virtual Colonoscopy does not require
anesthesia, and therefore the patient can resume normal activities
immediately after this 30 minute procedure.
- Traditional colonoscopy
requires strict dietary preparation and vigorous bowel cleansing
with harsh laxatives. Virtual Colonoscopy requires mild dietary
preparation and mild bowel cleansing.
- Traditional colonoscopy only
examines the colon, while Virtual Colonoscopy allows for the
examination of the other organs of the abdomen and pelvis.
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