Colorectal cancer physical examination
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Editor(s)-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Elliot B. Tapper, M.D., Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Overview
Any sort of suspicion of colorectal cancer requires regular follow-up appointments.
Physical Examination
Appearance
- The patient may appear pale (because of anemia) and emaciated (because of weight loss).
Skin
Head
Abdomen
- Discomfort on palpation
- Hepatomegaly
- Per-rectal exam may reveal bleeding and mass per rectum
Routine PET or ultrasound scanning, chest X-rays, complete blood count or liver function tests are not recommended.[1][2] These guidelines are based on recent meta-analyses showing that intensive surveillance and close follow-up can reduce the 5-year mortality rate from 37% to 30%.[3][4][5]
References
- ↑
- ↑
- ↑ Jeffery M, Hickey BE, Hider PN (2002). "Follow-up strategies for patients treated for non-metastatic colorectal cancer". Cochrane Database Syst Rev. CD002200.
- ↑ Renehan AG, Egger M, Saunders MP, O'Dwyer ST (2002). "Impact on survival of intensive follow up after curative resection for colorectal cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials". BMJ. 324 (7341): 831–8.
- ↑ Figueredo A, Rumble RB, Maroun J, et al; Gastrointestinal Cancer Disease Site Group of Cancer Care Ontario's Program in Evidence-based Care. (2003). "Follow-up of patients with curatively resected colorectal cancer: a practice guideline". BMC Cancer. 3: 26.