The Colon Club

I'm 38, male. I had an MRI (WITHOUT contrast) of the pelvis done because of strange tailbone pain (primarily when sitting) I've been having for 2-3 months. Also have occasional pinching feeling in the area in question, like a momentary dull ache that comes and goes but usually isnt present. MRI showed 2 6mm "lesions" - pea/pencil eraser sized in the left sacrocoyggeal area. Spine doc ordered a nuclear bone scan - which came back totally normal. I asked if I should get my colon looked at (colon cancer runs in fam), she said "I dont think so". I dont trust this doc. She's inexperienced and young. Seems to have no idea what these lesions actually are. My question is - could these things be something going on in the colon? Or would they have to be larger to show up on an MRI without contrast? I have noticed small dabs of blood on toilet paper on occasion when wiping. Nothing major just a tiny bit. I know that could be just about anything. My bowel movements are pretty regular - I go every morning after breakfast, almost always pass easily and usually on the soft side of normal. I had standard blood work done a few wks ago - normal. Blood cell counts were fine. I also had an abdominal CT scan for something else done with barium about 14 months ago. Would that show if there was something amiss in the colon? It also came back "normal". I know colonoscopy is the end-all be-all to identify true colon issues, just wondering if I should be running to my doc to get one done? Any info would be greatly helpful. Thank you.

Welcome to the club no one wants to be part of. You will get a wealth of info here from people who have lived exactly what you are going through. If you lurk here long enough you will see many in their 30's 40's with colon cancer. The difference from early stage and late stage is timing. Based on what I read and your family history I would be getting a scope ASAP. Find a Dr who will do it if she won't. The colonoscopy is the only way to positively identify colon cancer. It might be nothing but if it is something serious time is of the essence.

It would not have shown up on CT unless large enough to distend/swell colon.

Sounds like a second opinion is in order.

Diddy, you have two issues (that may or may not be related):
1) "tailbone pain (primarily when sitting)"
Your spine doctor is dealing with it.

2) "dabs of blood on toilet paper on occasion when wiping"
It's none of your spine doctor business.
You need to see a gastroenterologist (GI specialist) to get colonoscopy done and exclude colon cancer.
Blood in your stool may be caused by hemorrhoids, benign polyps, cancer etc.
Only colonoscopy would help to figure this out.

Diddy,

the answer to your imaging question is :
depends who is looking for what, and with which technique

I would go to a GI doc and get a scope

Cheers
CRguy

I agree with everyone else that it's best to go to see a GI and get a colonoscopy. I hope you get some answers soon!*hugs*

I agree with everyone else, go to a GI and get a scope!

Not to scare you - please do not take it that way as it may or may not have been related. I had tailbone pain leading up to my issues. As I said I do not know if it was related to my cancer or if it was because I had gone back to college and was sitting on my rump a lot more than I normally did.

It would not hurt to have it looked at by a doc that knows about the colon.

I will add you to my prayer list, praying they don't find anything.

A big reason I ask is tailbone pain doesn't seem to present as a symptom in most colon cancer cases. Not a primary one anyway. Ny that it can't be one, just not one that is much discussed. Anyway I'm getting the colonoscopy next Friday.

Good on the scope ... hope all comes out well for you.... and I don't just mean the PREP

Tailbone pain with CRC = Not in my case.
Had no pain at all anywhere except after surgery when I had a pelvic abscess and THAT produced tailbone pain
SO .... pressure and infection in my case was the cause = not cancer.

Cheers
CRguy