Colonoscopy Results - Or Lack Of........

[NuttyNewDog]

STBXDH has been off work for two months with rectal bleeding, exhaustion and weight loss. He is an alcoholic (but not in his opinion), a heavy smoker and has a poor diet. His GP referred him for an urgent colonoscopy which he had over three weeks ago.

He was told at the time that they removed some polyps but he didn't ask any questions and he's not one for Dr Google! He had an initial appointment where they said he would get a follow up appointment. He rang to chase this up and said they he'd got it wrong. He asked whether the polyps had been removed for biopsy and they said his GP would get any results. He had been to the GP the day before and neither he nor the GP mentioned it.

Is it normal to have an urgent colonoscopy then hear nothing more? He had blood tests but they all came back normal but he's in no fit state to return to work.

It's a slightly awkward situation as we're separated but get on well. His head is in the sand about everything but I have seen a huge decline in him and I'm very worried, just don't know what to suggest to him. Any ideas gratefully received.........

It seems to me that he isn't asking the right questions at the surgery. Can he make another appointment and take a list of questions in with him?

The histology report on the polyps could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to process, review, write the report, send to the colonoscopist then them to contact the patient. It depends on staffing, backlogs etc.
If he was referred on a cancer pathway (which as it was an urgent referral it may count as) then there are standards to meet re getting results out, any treatment if needed. Its usually 62 days with 31 to diagnosis (that would be for a cancer pathway), I'm not suggesting he has got cancer btw just that there may timeframes that should apply in his casenn
The GP should have had a visit report by now, and I'd suggest going back to the GP to establish what exctly was done, what follow up is needed, and when the biopsy/polyp histoogy report ought to be back by.
It is not usual to hear nothing and should be chased up.

Thanks both, that's very helpful. It was a cancer pathway and he doesn't ask questions, I suspect through fear. As I said, it's difficult as we're not together but I may have to write the list for him!

Do they always do a biopsy on polyps? Would they have been able to tell if anything just looked suspicious?

My knowledge of this area is limited however sometimes polyps are monitored, it depends on the clinical history. In your exdh's case if they removed the polyps then the polyp should have been sent for histological assessment. If they weren't sent, then I would be interested to know why.

I work in endoscopy and see a lot of colonoscopies.
when polyps are removed, they would be routinely sent to histology. the results can take a few weeks to be processed so they should be back soon.
Did he get given a report after his test? The test report should have been explained to him before he left the department & a copy of the report given to take away. If the polyps looked suspicious (yes, you can usually tell by the way they look), that would have been discussed at the time and the histology would have been fast tracked. Ask him if you can his report, it will say on there if there is anything to be concerned about.

Thanks again. He said he couldn't understand the colonoscopist's accent. He was given a report which he didn't read and gave to his GP, who didn't comment! He's extremely frustrating to deal with, won't help himself. He has an appointment with the GP in a couple of weeks so I may have to write that list after all.

I'm a bit surprised that given how ill he's been and the fact that they fast-tracked him, he seems to have reached a dead end now. Blood tests showed nothing out of the ordinary. Thanks again, very helpful.