Sigmoidoscopy Introduction

Sigmoidoscopy is a procedure in which a doctor looks in your large intestine. A length of flexible tube connected to a fiberoptic camera is used. A light is transmitted through the scope to the tip by a bundle of light fibers. The doctor uses this light to look at your intestine through an eyepiece or video screen.

Your doctor may do this very safe procedure for several reasons.

Sigmoidoscopy is the best way to diagnose colon cancer—the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States.

This procedure may also be used to help investigate problems such as bleeding, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.

Three findings are possible from this procedure.

You are healthy, and no other studies are needed. (Even though the sigmoidoscopy is the most important technique in the evaluation of colon cancer, a very small percentage of people with normal sigmoidoscopy findings may later be found to have colon cancer.)

A diagnosis of your particular disease is made.

You may need additional testing, consultation, therapy, or follow-up.

Several leading medical groups recommend routine screening of men and women aged 50 years and older for colon cancer and benign (harmless) polyps every 3-5 years. Younger people may require this procedure if they have close relatives with colon cancer.

 A similar screening procedure is known as a colonoscopy. The basic difference is that the tube goes farther up the colon with a colonoscopy.

Risks
The risks of the procedure include damage to the colon by the tube, bleeding, abdominal pain, and infection.

During the Procedure
The doctor will have you lie down on your left side with your knees bent and pulled up slightly toward your head.

The doctor will examine your rectum first with a finger lubricated with special jelly. The tip of the scope is then lubricated with the same jelly and slowly inserted into your rectum.

The doctor will slowly advance the tube through your lower intestine. In order to help the doctor see, a small amount of air and water may be placed in the intestine through the end of the scope. If the doctor encounters a suspicious area of intestine, he or she may remove a small piece of the tissue for analysis. This is done with the same scope and is known as a biopsy.

The doctor will end the procedure and tell you the outcome of your study.


 

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