IBS or cancer

Ok, I have just seen a DO and not a GI...we do not have one in my small area. But, He says I have IBS. I do get anxiety easy. My symptoms are increased Gas, Fluttering pains(mild) in my lower abdomin (abdomen) on both left and right sides between the bellybutton and groin regions. They are worse with stress. I occasionally will feel the need to have BM and will have some pain in the colon/rectum area for a split second and then realize I do not have to have a BM. I average about 3-5 BMs a day and this is normal. Sometimes it is loose and others it is normal. I haven't had any discolored feces, blood, or vomiting. I am scared more than anything. My doc issued a pelvic  CT to check for accute appendicitis, but he said everything was fine. I have two questions. One, do you think this is just IBS or should I be worried about cancer? Two, if the Radiologist MD was order a lower pelvic CT for accute appendicitis, would he have checked for anything else or all other possibilities in that region...like cancer? I do not know there standard practice.

Thanks,

nurbs

[Kevin Pho, MD]

IBS is certainly a possible explanation for the symptoms, and I agree with the CT scan.

If cancer is truly a concern, a CT scan isn't good enough.  You would need a lower endoscopy (i.e. a colonoscopy) to exclude colon cancer, or an upper endoscopy to evaluate for esophageal or stomach cancer.

These tests should be ordered if cancer is suspected.

I would discuss these options in consultation with a GI physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin Pho, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
www.twitter.com/kevinmd