colonoscopy..?

Question

Is the colonscopy procedure a painful one and if a malignant tumor is found is it curable? Thank you for any and all replies. Cherie

Answer 1

You are given medication before the colonscopy to relax you which allows the doctor to move the scope through the colon. Sometimes he will pump a little air into the colon to inflate it and allow a better view. The air can make you feel bloated and uncomfortable but it is tolerable. You can watch the procedure if you want to on a monitor. When the procedure is over you really won't remember too much about it.

As for a nodule or tumor found during colonscopy, much depends upon the stage (how much it has spred) and grade (how normal or abnormal the cells appear) of the tumor and whether it is found to be benign or cancerous. It is possible depending on the size and shape of the tumor for the doctor to remove the tumor during the colonoscopy. The tumor or nodule would than be sent to pathology to confirm whether it is benign or malignant.

Good luck. Hope that all goes well.

Answer 2

A colonoscopy is uncomfortable, but not painful. You are given medication so there won't be any pain and to relax you. If a malignant tumor is found it depends upon what stage it's in where it's located and if it has spread there are many that are curable but you just don't know until you've had the tests. I wish you all the best. I would look on webmd.com as they are a very reliable place for medical information. You can also try the mayo clinic website. Sending you good thoughts and best wishes for good health!

Answer 3

Colonoscopy is an easy procedure because they drug you up and you don't remember it. The prep is far worse than the procedure! (You have to be completely empty!) If a tumor is found and removed, the cure rate is close to 100% if it has not spread outside the colon.

These days surgeons can even take out a stretch of the affected colon and join the remaining ends back together to minimize the impact the removal has on the patient.

Answer 4

A little info I think should be considered about this drug Versed ( Midazolam ) that is used for Sedation for many medical procedures..Sedation and General Anesthesia are not the same and quite a few people being given Sedation
think they are being given General Anesthesia!

There is simply no good or valid reason to ever purposely induce amnesia during a medical procedure. It is only a recent development in medical thinking that amnesia is somehow a "benefit" to the patient. On occasion some
some patients will remember a bad experience. Forgetting does not mean it did not happen!!
I feel that if people were aware of the effects of this drug they would Opt For Another Drug!
Erasing someones memory of what was done to them is wrong!!
In fact, many people who use Versed for " IV Sedation,Conscious Sedation" Twilight Sedation, during a procedure are Awake For The Entire Procedure but remember nothing, often Believing They Were "Out" the whole time.

Versed (Midazolam) is an amnestic. It is also commonly used for minor procedures like setting broken bones,colonoscopies,endoscopies, dental procedures like extractions,conscious sedation,twilight sleep, so that patients won't remember pain and discomfort.HOWEVER THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THOSE SENSATIONS WILL NOT BE EXPERIENCED!!!!

A note from an anesthesiologist
I agree that using midazolam alone in painful situations is wrong. I've heard people getting colonoscopies and screaming, and maybe they remember, maybe they don't.

A note I got from someone on Yahoo Answers who did have a bad experience..This is very disconcerting... My sister said she heard me screaming from the waiting room but assumed it wasn't me. When we left we heard another female patient screaming. I did a lot of research since your post, thanks so much for the info.

Here is a note from a Dentist Who uses Versed
I've used Versed 1000+ times during oral surgery procedures and I've never had a complaint. It's a miracle drug because it is safe and it causes you to not remember an unpleasant experience. My answer to him is isn't it better to have not experienced the pain than to have forgot it. No wonder you have had no complaints they have no memory of the procedure.....

I feel that giving a drug for amnesia is cruel I would not want it done to me!

A strange development in medical thinking that it's okay for a patient to have
pain as long as they don't remember it and think they slept thru the procedure..


Here is a link for some info

http://www.freehelpforcancer.com/manages-meds/sedation

Answer 5

Colonoscopy isn't normally painful. You'll be medicated so that you'll be asleep and won't remember anything that happens, usually with Versed and Fentanyl.

If they find a polyp, yes, they will take it out at the time. If a larger mass is found, they will usually take as much out as they can to send to pathology. Your doctor will decide from the pathology results and what he saw during your colonoscopy whether or not to refer you to a surgeon. Most of the polyps we see are small and easily removed.

The prep is usually considered the worst part of the procedure, but it's to your advantage to make sure you're as clean as possible. The cleaner the prep, the better chance of finding small polyps before they become a problem. Drink lots of water, gatorade, or other clear liquids the day before your procedure to help the prep, and avoid anything red, such as red jello (it looks like blood). Most doctors will also ask you to avoid fiber for a few days before the colonoscopy. You won't be able to eat anything solid the day before the test; clear liquids only. They'll probably tell you not to have anything to eat or drink by mouth after midnight the night before your procedure, but if you take medicine, you can usually take it with a sip of water.

Answer 6

It isn't painful. You will be put under some mediction and you won't even remember it.


If they find a tumor the progmosis depends on the tumor and if it has spread to lymph nodes and other places. It is best to not worry too much.

Answer 7

Colonoscopy was a breeze. Drinking the stuff before the procedure did make me a little sick-I vomited. It does not hurt, and you can ask for Xanax if your anxiety is really high.

Answer 8

for a colonoscopy, a amnesiac drug, most commonly one called Versed, is used. it does appear that people are uncomfortable during the procedure, but they don't remember having it. the tumor depends on the stage and if there are metastases.

Answer 9

The Dr. gives you Medication before the procedure, and if he/she finds anything it will be taken care of right away. Be sure to ask all questions to your Dr.

Answer 10

Uncomfortable, embarrassing, but not painful. I can't answer the second question, this is something that would have to be discussed with your doctor at the time since he has all the information available to him that we don't. Take care.