What is the difference between sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy?
Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy provide doctors look at the interior of the large intestine, while colonSopia looks at the entire large intestine and sigmoidoscopy only to the lower third. The physician may recommend sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy to test the patient for colon cancer, evaluate the patient with the digestive tract disorder, or perform a procedure such as removal of polyp. Sigmoidoscopy takes less time and is less invasive, while colonoscopy is more thorough and may be more suitable for certain cases. The patient may have to stop taking certain medicines such as blood thinners and must spend a day before the special diet. The doctor can also prescribe laxatives. The aim of the drug and diet is to clean the large intestine so the doctor can get a good picture. This process is often unpleasant for patients, but necessary for a successful test.
on the day of sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, the patient will go to the hospital or clinic. For colonoscopy, the patient may be placed in general anesthesia orsedation. Patients scheduled for sigmoidoscopy can get a light seating to keep them comfortable. The patient lies in a position exposed to the rectum, and the doctor introduces a long, flexible tube with a connected camera. The doctor proceeds up the tube up to the large intestine to evaluate it, and also looks at the large intestine on the way out.
In sigmoidoscopic and colonoscopic tests, the doctor is looking for any signs of abnormalities, such as tissue stains that seem different, polyps, pockets, etc. If the doctor sees something that looks suspicious, it may be necessary to take a sample. The physician could recommend a subsequent test with a rigid tube so that in some cases the removal of the polyp is allowed. Any material removed during the test may be evaluated by a pathologist to determine whether it is cancer.
The most important difference between sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy is that the test of sigmoidoscopy is looking at only one third of the thickThe intestines, while colonoscopy provides a complete view. If your doctor is particularly concerned about the risk of colon cancer, colonoscopy may be a better choice for the patient. This test takes longer and is more invasive, but can achieve better results. If any cancer material is present along the length of the large intestine, it is more likely to catch it.