The
“We treat people, not just problems.”
John
L. Pfenninger, M.D.
(989) 631-4545
Visit our
website at: MPCenter.net
This sheet of information is
to help you become informed about a procedure called flexible sigmoidoscopy.
You may have heard about this in association with the tumor that was found in
President Reagan’s bowel. Should you have any questions after reading this
sheet, please feel free to discuss them with your physician. In 1995, the
United States Preventative Services Task Force, which has very stringent
guidelines for approval of screening tests, agreed with the recommendation
below. All other organizations essentially promoted this test long ago. In
1998, Medicare began paying for flexible sigmoidoscopy even if it was done only
for screening.
Purpose
To identify and diagnose
lesions of the bowel at an early stage to prevent cancer;
To find cancer that may
already be developed in earlier stages so that it might be more beneficially
treated.
Who Should Be Screened?
Any person 50 years of age
and older. Flexible sigmoidoscopy is done every 5 years along with cards that
check for blood in the stool every year. (If a colonoscopy is done, it is
repeated in ten years.).
Those who experience a
change in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea that persists).
Those with rectal bleeding
of any sort.
Those who have a stool
specimen that tests positive for blood (positive "guaiac" or
"hemoccult").
Those with unexplained
weight loss or fevers.
Those who are anemic.
Those who need follow-up of previous
polyps or cancers.
Those in high-risk groups
who may need to be screened before age 50 (previous cancer, history of
ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s, history of female genital cancer, family history
of cancer, history of multiple polyps, history of a family member diagnosed
with colon polyps or colon cancer before age 60). High-risk groups should begin
screening at 35-40 years of age and will most likely require colonoscopy or an
x-ray (barium enema) along with the flexible sigmoidoscopy..
What are the Benefits of
Screening?
There is a debate as to what
the best screening method is for someone who is not at risk and has no
symptoms. In our office, we do the flexible sigmoidoscopy at 50 and 55 years of
age, then recommend colonoscopies after age 60..
What is Done?
The procedure of
"flexible sigmoidoscopy" is easily carried out in a physician’s
office. The appointment is scheduled for 30 minutes but the procedure itself
only takes 5-10 minutes. The patient generally lies on a flat table on his/her
left side. The physician does a rectal exam, trying to feel for any growths,
and then he inserts the instrument called a flexible sigmoidoscope. This is a
small tube approximately 1/2" in diameter. It is about 24" (60 cm)
long and is actually quite movable, like a small piece of tubing. The physician
can control the movement with dials at one end. He can make the scope go up and
down and to the right or left. The end of the tubing has a small hole for
lighting, another for sucking up any fluid that might be left in the bowel, and
another one for inserting air. By gently manipulating this tubing, the
physician can insert it into the rectum and look at the lower part of the bowel
called the sigmoid colon and the left descending colon.
How Much Pain is Involved?
The discomfort is generally
quite minimal. Most of it will feel like you are having gas cramps, because the
physician does need to inflate the colon with air so that he can see the
inside. Most people compare it to a slightly uncomfortable bowel movement.
Occasionally, if the bowel really has a lot of loops, there will be added pain,
but this is unusual. Women who have had a hysterectomy may be a little more
uncomfortable. No medication is generally needed before the procedure or
afterwards, unless a patient feels particularly anxious and requests it. Many
prefer to take (4) 200 mg ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin or Motrin) 1½ to 2 hours prior to the procedure. This is
acceptable. The patient is generally able to come straight from work and return
to work after the procedure.
How Does One Prepare for the
Procedure?
Usually, one or two
cleansing enemas (Fleets) 30-90 minutes prior to the procedure should be
sufficient. If you notice that the fluid is not clear, occasionally a third
enema is needed. Inactive, elderly, or a laxative-dependent patient may require
24 hours of clear liquids, as well as four Dulcolax tablets the night before.
This is rarely recommended, but if you think this may be needed, use it. If at
all possible, no aspirin should be taken for the two weeks prior to the
procedure. If you have taken aspirin, or if you are on any medication, please
notify the doctor.
When Should the Procedure
NOT be done?
In some instances, if you
are having severe enough abdominal pain to be admitted to the hospital, the
procedure should not be done. Your physician will need to be the guide for
this. Likewise, if you are pregnant, have had a recent heart attack, or have
some other significant medical disease, you should let your physician evaluate
this prior to proceeding with the procedure. If you have an artificial heart
valve or an artificial joint, you should receive antibiotics prior to the
procedure. Some heart murmurs also require antibiotics. Please alert the
physician at the time of the visit and discuss these issues with him.
What are Possible
Complications?
It is reassuring to know
that the procedure of flexible sigmoidoscopy is relatively safe. Approximately one
time out of 10,000 procedures, a tear could be made in the bowel wall. This may
require further surgery. Very rarely, there may be some bleeding. Generally,
there is little discomfort, but occasionally this is a little more bothersome.
In some people who get lightheaded when they see blood or are under stress,
fainting is a possibility. (If you are one of these, inform your physician and
he can prescribe medicine to prevent this.)
Possible Biopsy
In instances where your
physician sees a lesion, he may want to take a small sample of the tissue
(biopsy). This will be sent to the pathologist to look at under the microscope
and define what it is. This would increase your chance of bleeding a small
amount, but, again, it is usually negligible. You cannot feel this. It will not
hurt. There are four types of polyps. One type (hyperplastic) is like a skin
tag and has no association with cancer. The other three are associated with
cancer (adenomatous types), and further diagnostic intervention will be needed.
Costs
The charge for flexible
sigmoidoscopy alone is $________ plus an office charge if you are a new
patient. If it is done totally for the purpose of screening, your insurance
company may not cover the charge. However, if you have any symptoms at all, insurance
companies generally will provide coverage. Medicare will now also cover
screening.
If a biopsy is taken and
sent to the pathologist, you will receive a separate bill directly from the lab
for analyzing this specimen. Be sure to call us if you haven’t received the
results by two weeks after the procedure.
Additional questions and/or
concerns can be answered by your physician. Please discuss them with him/her.
Copyright, 2011.
John L. Pfenninger, M.D.
jw02/11