Colonoscopy
The colonoscopy is the gold standard for early detection and treatment of colon polyps. Your health care provider may do a colonoscopy to visualize the inside of your entire colon, not just the lower portion. The colon is the lower portion of the gastrointestinal tract and is about five feet long.
Your doctor may also do a biopsy and remove any polyps found inside your colon. During a biopsy a small amount of the tissue is taken from the lining of the colon. The polyps and tissue can be studied closely to help determine your diagnosis and the test treatment.
Learn about colonoscopy test kits:
This information has been approved by Luette Morton, MD (October 2009).
