Virtual Colonoscopy

Colorectal cancer, cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum, is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., claiming over 53,000 lives in 2004.¹

Typically, doctors use colonoscopy to detect potentially cancerous polyps.  

Early detection and removal of suspect polyps may help prevent colorectal cancer. 

The standard ‘optical’ colonoscopy requires a long flexible tube with a camera on it, called an endoscope, be inserted into the colon.  You may be among the many patients who shy away from a colonoscopy because it sounds too invasive or uncomfortable.

Philips offers a colon imaging procedure that’s faster and easier – the ‘virtual’ colonoscopy.

A simple, sophisticated approach

Virtual colonoscopy uses computed tomography (CT) scans from a Philips Brilliance CT system to allow doctors to look for polyps and growths without the traditional endoscope.  Our sophisticated 3D reconstruction technique takes these scans and builds a 3D model of the interior lining of your large intestine (colon) and rectum. 

Using Philips advanced ‘interactive’ CT endoscopy software doctors can then ‘fly’ back and forth through your entire colon to see polyps.

It just makes sense

A virtual colonoscopy is more patient friendly:

If a Virtual Colonoscopy scan does finds polyps, patients may have the option of having an optical colonoscopy to remove them - the same day.

Philips tools assist

Doctors have the ability to perform virtual colonoscopies with the assistance of some of the latest Philips technology. 

1. U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 2004 Incidence and Mortality. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2007.

This information is intended to be used for educational purposes only. Philips Healthcare does not offer medical advice and nothing contained in the content is intended to constitute professional advice for medical diagnosis or treatment.