Colonoscopy

[QuestionOf]

Can a doctor tell whilst doing a colonoscopy that a tumour is malignant just by looking at it?

I would imagine they might have an educated guess, but would need it confirmed by pathology.

Not for sure. Biopsy will be required.

Some tumours "look" malignant and the person doing the colonoscopy will have a pretty good idea that the tumour is cancerous.

They always aim to biopsy any polyps or tumours seen and this will provide confirmation of whether it is cancerous or not.

When I went to collect my husband after his first colonoscopy, I was told by the doctor that he had a very large bowel cancer. The doctor was in no doubt about it.
That was 3 years ago, and following surgery and chemotherapy all is well.