Self Instructional Manual for Cancer Registrars - SEER - National ...

Proctoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy, and Colonoscopy. Inspection of the intestinal tract is done by tubular
endoscopes with appropriate illumination. The instrument for examination of the rectum is called
a proctoscope. To examine the sigmoid colon, a device called a sigmoidoscope is used which can
visualize up to 25 cm from the anal verge 1. To examine the entire colon from the rectum to the
cecum a device called a fiberoptic colonoscope is used. As its name implies, this instrument is
flexible. The sigmoidoscope or proctoscope can be either rigid or flexible. If a malignancy is
suspected, tissue can be removed during the examination for histologic study.
An illustration of a proctoscopy report is shown in Example F1. Abstract what you think is
pertinent in Example F1 and compare with the suggested abstraction on page 127.
1anal verge--The external or distal boundary of the anal canal.
124