Advanced Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis
Getting an accurate diagnosis and understanding the stage of your cancer are the first steps toward the right treatment plan. Our diagnostic services utilize advanced technology and expert analysis to provide you with the clear answers you need.
Colonoscopy: Seeing What's There
Colonoscopy lets us see the entire colon directly. During the exam, we can take biopsies of any areas that look abnormal, mark the tumor location with a small tattoo (which helps surgeons later), and remove polyps we find along the way. It's a single procedure that provides diagnostic answers while also addressing some problems immediately.
Imaging: The Complete Picture
We use different scans depending on what we need to know. CT scans of your chest, abdomen, and pelvis show us where the cancer is and whether it's spread. For rectal cancers, an MRI of the pelvis gives us detailed information that helps us decide if treatment before surgery makes sense. Sometimes we'll use a PET/CT scan to look for cancer in other parts of the body. Endorectal ultrasound is particularly good at showing how deep a rectal tumor goes and whether nearby lymph nodes are involved.
Blood Work
Several blood tests give us useful information. CEA is a tumor marker we can track over time. A complete blood count tells us if you're anemic, which can happen with colorectal tumors. We also check your liver and kidney function, partly to look for spread and partly to make sure you can safely receive treatment.
Understanding Your Tumor at the Molecular Level
Every tissue sample goes through detailed pathology testing. We look at the tumor type and grade to understand its characteristics. We test for microsatellite instability (MSI) and mismatch repair (MMR) problems, which tell us whether immunotherapy might work and whether Lynch syndrome could be a factor. For advanced cancers, RAS and BRAF mutation testing helps us choose targeted therapies. In some cases, broader genomic profiling can uncover other treatment options.
Moving Forward
Once we have your diagnosis, our team will walk you through what comes next, whether that's treatment planning or continued monitoring. You'll have support every step of the way.
Your Complete Care Journey
Diagnosis is just one step in your comprehensive care at JHAH. Based on your results, our team will guide you seamlessly to the next phase of your journey.
If cancer is detected, our Treatment Services provide personalized therapy plans using the latest advances in surgery, radiation, and systemic treatments.
For those at increased risk, our Prevention & Screening programs offer enhanced surveillance and risk reduction strategies.
Our Specialized Programs bring together experts in colorectal cancer to deliver personalized care for complex, hereditary, young-onset, and metastatic cases, with treatment plans tailored for your case.
Throughout your journey, our Support & Survivorship Services ensure you have the emotional, practical, and educational resources you need.
