Most recent edit on 2007-03-19 10:40:38 by KathyFromEngland
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About a Sigmoidoscopy
What is a Sigmoidoscopy?
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About an Sigmoidoscopy
What is an Sigmoidoscopy?
Oldest known version of this page was edited on 2007-03-19 10:29:23 by KathyFromEngland []
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About an Sigmoidoscopy
Contents
What is an Sigmoidoscopy?
Sources of information for this page
What is an Sigmoidoscopy?
Sigmoidoscopy and proctoscopy
The doctor uses these tests to look inside the rectum (proctoscopy), or the rectum and lower part of the large bowel (sigmoidoscopy). You will probably change into a gown before the procedure. You may also have paper trousers, with a hole cut out of the back, under your gown. While you lie on your side, the doctor puts a thin tube into your rectum and up into the large bowel. The bowel is inflated with air and there is a light inside the tube so the doctor can see if anything is wrong. The doctor can take a biopsy (sample of tissue) if necessary. The biopsies go to the lab, where a tissue specialist examines them under a microscope.
You have this test in the outpatients department. Because this test is quite quick and usually painless, it isn't usual to need any anaesthetic, or anything to make you drowsy. You should be able to go home as soon as the test is over. You may notice a small amount of blood in your stool after the biopsy.
Sources of information for this page
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=3950∞
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