Once you have had your diagnostic endoscopic procedure (camera test), if a tumour or polyp of the colon has been identified, biopsies may have been taken for diagnostic purposes.
These biopsies are sent away for histological testing.
You may also be required to have further investigations following your endoscopy. This could include a CT scan and possibly an MRI scan. These investigations will be arranged on an urgent basis.
It can take approximately between 2 to 4 weeks from your first investigation, to having a conclusive diagnosis. Following which you will be invited to clinic to discuss these results.
MDT Discussion
All of this information is vital for the ‘Colorectal Multidisciplinary Team’ (MDT) to effectively discuss your investigations in our MDT meeting.
Diagnosing and treating cancer requires a team of experts: this team is called a multidisciplinary team (MDT). The team is made up of cancer experts; including, Consultant Surgeons, Radiologists, Pathologists and Specialist Nurses.
These are people who understand what cancer cells look like and how they behave. The MDT will decide if further tests are required. Furthermore, conclude if you have cancer and what type of cancer it is. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed the MDT will then reach a decision on the most effective way of treating it.
Everyone in the MDT meets on a weekly basis. This is to discuss about suspected cancer patients and form a treatment plan that is within your best interests.
Following the MDT meeting you should expect to be contacted by our colorectal nurse specialist team to arrange further discussion of the results and proposed treatment plan.
Macmillan Colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist Team
If you have any further questions whilst under investigation, please do not hesitate to contact our team as below on 0161 656 1450.
Date of Review: October 2023
Date of Next Review: October 2025
Ref No: PI_SU_367 (BRO)