What Is Beverly Hills Virtual Colonoscopy and When is it Recommended?

Colon cancer is a serious disease and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The biggest problem with colon cancer is that it is a silent killer. For many who have it, the symptoms remain dormant until the disease has progressed far enough for the prognosis of it to be poor. Many therapies have been discovered that make the outcome of colon cancer a success when caught in the early stages of the disease. The key to a successful outcome, therefore, is the detection of colon cancer before it has had the opportunity to spread, or metastasize to other organs. That can be done with a screening test called a colonoscopy.

What is a Colonoscopy? 

A colonoscopy is a screening procedure which allows the clinician in Beverly Hills to see inside  the large intestine and screen for any abnormal growth. Polyps are precancerous growths that can be an indication that there is abnormal cell growth that can lead to cancer. The colonoscopy was designed to screen for polyp growth or to see any subtle changes that are taking place at the cellular level, in the large intestine structure. Traditional colonoscopy is done with a scope that is inserted into the large intestine. It is done under sedation and allows the clinician in Beverly Hills to comfortably get a thorough look into the colon and check for polyps or growths and remove or biopsy them if found.

Virtual colonoscopy is different from the traditional colonoscopy because it is done with radiological equipment. CT scans and MRI are used to recreate images of the large intestine to check for abnormal changes. The images are used to create a 3-D image of the intestine. Although less invasive, it does not give the clinician the same richness of information about subtle tissue changes. If there are growths found, it is also not possible to do a biopsy of the growths so traditional colonoscopy is then indicated. It is a viable alternative when the patient has a history of difficulty with anesthesia, or when previous abdominal surgery increases the risk for traditional colonoscopy. Also when using a CT scan there is a considerable amount of exposure to radiation, so having a virtual colonoscopy in Beverly Hills on a regular basis increases the risks associated with radiation.

Who can Best Benefit From Virtual Colonoscopy? 

Because colonoscopy risks increase with age, it is recommended that anyone over the age of 50 at regular intervals. Because colon cancer also has a genetic component, if you have a family history of colon cancer, regular screening is important to check for any subtle changes, or pre-cancer growth before it becomes a problem. Also, if you have a history yourself of polyps or abnormal growth in the colon, it is definitely recommended that you get frequent screening tests.

Those who have a history of problems with anesthesia can benefit from the Beverly Hills virtual colonoscopy. There is no risk of anesthesia related complications. Also, if there has been significant previous surgery in the abdomen it may be beneficial that you get a virtual colonoscopy to lessen the risk of perforation of the bowel, or other damage that can result. There are people who are at risk for colon cancer who refuse to get a traditional screening because of the invasive nature of the scope. For those who find that it is more comfortable to have a virtual colonoscopy, it can be a useful tool to look for anything concerning that would indicate that further testing is warranted. Although it is not as thorough as a traditional scope, and can not detect subtle changes in the intestinal tissue, it is a good tool for ruling out many conditions.

It is also a good tool as a preempt to further biopsy or procedures. When you do a traditional colonoscopy you are able to biopsy areas of concern during the procedure. Although you are not able to do that with a virtual colonoscopy, it can give the clinician in Beverly Hills a baseline for further scans, and also to be indicative of anything concerning where the patient can benefit from additional testing or treatment for removal.

If you are interested in a virtual colonoscopy in Beverly Hills, you should schedule an appointment with a physician to discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of having a virtual or a traditional colonoscopy. The one which is most appropriate for your needs can be evaluated by a professional.

What Is The Difference Between a Los Angeles Virtual Colonoscopy and a Traditional Colonoscopy?

Colon cancer is a serious disease which kills hundreds of thousands of Americans in the United States per annum. It is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in Los Angeles and in America. Making it even more deadly is the fact that it is often a silent killer. There are many people who are diagnosed with advanced stage colon cancer who are completely symptom free, and unaware that they were even sick. Often by the time that a person is symptomatic, the disease has had time to grow and, in some cases, metastasize to other organs. The best way to tackle Los Angeles colon cancer is through early detection methods.

What is a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a screening test that is used for colon cancer. It is a way to get a look into the large intestine to check for any abnormal growths or cell changes that can indicate both cancer and precancerous lesions or polyps. There are two different types of colonoscopy screening procedures. Traditional colonoscopy involves putting the patient under anesthesia and inserting a scope into the large intestine to check for any abnormal growths. During the procedure if there is found to be anything suspicious, biopsies can be done to check for the presence of cancer or precancerous cells. It is an invasive procedure that involves a person to do a bowel prep to clean out the colon for optimal visualization.

A virtual colonoscopy is different in that it involves imaging instead of a colonoscope. Clinicians in Los Angeles use CT scans or magnetic resonance imagery to reconstruct the internal structure of the large intestine. By using the images that they capture, physicians are able to form a virtual 3-D construct of the intestine to look for any concerning structural changes, or abnormal growths, that can indicate the need for further biopsy or screening methods. It is a fairly new procedure that continues to be perfected and and is a viable alternative to the traditional colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy is the best tool that clinicians have to rule out the existence of precancerous polyps or the need for more invasive procedures. Being able to get a glimpse into the internal structure of the large intestine is a good way of being able to catch colon cancer at a time when the prognosis for treatment is much better than when the disease is farther advanced.

What are the Advantages of Virtual Colonoscopy in Los Angeles and Who Can Benefit From It?

There are some advantages to virtual versus traditional colonoscopy. Virtual colonoscopy does not have the same anesthetic risks as a traditional colonoscopy. It is  less invasive in that a colonoscope is not involved but  there still is a risk of perforation of the bowel or intestine due to insertion of air. For those who have had a history of anesthesia related problems or a heart condition, it is a valuable alternative to other screening methods.

A virtual colonoscopy in Los Angeles still involves a bowel prep to visualize the inside of the colon via imaging. Even though it does have some limitations, convincing someone to do it at all is the most important part of any screening process. It is also a viable screening method for those who have had prior surgical reconstruction which may make a traditional colonoscopy difficult.

Los Angeles Virtual colonoscopy is a very useful tool to rule out any obvious growth structures in the large intestines. For those whose risk is low, it is a good way to make sure that more invasive procedures, which run greater risks, are not warranted. When using  MRI for virtual colonoscopy, you also do not run the risk of being exposed to radiation as you would with a CT scan. It can also be combined with other tests that can target other organs while the scan is being performed.

Which screening test is most appropriate for an individual depends on the circumstances and medical condition of the patient. The best way to determine which colonoscopy is best for you is to schedule a consultation with a professional clinician in Los Angeles to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both methods to decide which one is best.