Would A CAT Scan Of Abdomen Show Signs Of Colon Cancer?

Posted on Thu, 14 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 14 May 2015 Answered on

Wed, 3 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I am just getting over a bout of diverticulitis, I was given a CAT scan of abdomen and would like to know if this type of scan would show signs of colon cancer?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Colon cancer is detectable in CT scans in most patients

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with oral, rectal and intravenous contrast will pick up any suspected colon cancer which might be causing colon wall thickening and luminal narrowing.

2. The accuracy of detecting an early colon cancer by CT scan is approximately 76 percent.

3. In later stage CT scan detects most colon cancers.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar