It has been recognised recently that if a pathologist uses a structured format rather than freetext for their report on cancer resection specimens, the report is more likely to contain all the relevant information required for clinical decision making for the patient. In April 2013 this format for reporting of cancer specimens by pathologists became mandatory in New Zealand. However there is currently no standardised report format for small cancers of the colon arising in polyps (called malignant polyps). This paper shows that if a structured report format is used for malignant polyps, the report is more likely to be complete, and in the case of malignant polyps this is particularly important in dictating whether the patient requires an operation for their malignant polyp or not.
A randomised, double-blinded, controlled trial with 205 consented patients referred for elective colonoscopy was undertaken at MidCentral Health Gastroenterology Department. Patients were randomised to either air or carbon dioxide. A comparison of pain was undertaken. Those receiving carbon dioxide during colonoscopy experienced less post colonoscopy pain than those who received air insufflation. Carbon dioxide should be considered as the insufflating gas during colonoscopy.
Cancer of the bowel is a common cancer in New Zealand. While bleeding from the rectum and change in bowel habit can be an important symptom of bowel cancer, persistent pain in the abdomen and weight loss should also warrant check up by a doctor as a minority of patients with bowel cancer may have these symptoms only.
