When a lesion is detected in the colon, there are two possibilities, excluding rare benign conditions: the lesion is either a large polyp that has not turned cancerous or colon cancer.

An experienced endoscopist can often determine from the appearance and characteristics of the lesion whether it is cancer. Therefore, a diagnosis of colon cancer can be made without waiting for the pathology result.

At this stage, it may be appropriate to inform the patient and their relatives that colon cancer is suspected or at least highly suspected.

In everyday practice, the issues begin precisely at this point. Particularly in some state hospitals and universities, it is said that the pathology result must be awaited before further diagnostic tests can proceed. After waiting 20-25 days for the pathology result, when radiological investigations are then started and their results are awaited, determining the stage of the disease and thus the treatment plan can take more than two months.

In a case like cancer, where treatment should begin as quickly as possible, such delays can lead to unfavorable oncological outcomes for patients.

To avoid these negative outcomes, the doctor who performs the colonoscopy or interprets the result should promptly plan the radiological investigations. If the doctor does not recommend them, the patient or their relatives may contact a colorectal surgeon to arrange for these tests.