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- Blood tests: The doctor checks for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and other substances in the blood. Some people who have colorectal cancer or other conditions have a high CEA level.
- Colonoscopy: If colonoscopy was not performed for diagnosis, the doctor examines the entire length of the colon and rectum with a colonoscope to check for other abnormal areas.
- Endorectal ultrasound: An ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum. The probe sends out sound waves that people cannot hear. The waves bounce off the rectum and nearby tissues, and a computer uses the echoes to create a picture. The picture shows how deep a rectal tumor has grown or whether the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other nearby tissues.
- Chest x-ray: X-rays of the chest can show whether cancer has spread to the lungs.
- CT scan: An x-ray machine linked to a computer takes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The patient may receive an injection of dye. Tumors in the liver, lungs, or elsewhere in the body show up on the CT scan.
The doctor also may use other tests (such as MRI) to see whether the cancer has spread.
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