A 44-year-old man presents to his GP with a 3-month history of alternating constipation and diarrhoea, with tenesmus and rectal bleeding. He has lost ...

Question

A 44-year-old man presents to his GP with a 3-month history of alternating constipation and diarrhoea, with tenesmus and rectal bleeding. He has lost 4 kg in weight. Examination reveals a palpable mass in the left iliac fossa. What is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Arrange urgent suspected cancer two-week-wait colorectal referral

Answer

Treat as haemorrhoids and give topical treatment

Answer

Reassure and review in 3 months

Answer

Start laxatives and fibre supplements only

Answer

Order FIT test (faecal immunochemical test) and await result before referring

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Suspected colorectal cancer

A 44-year-old man presents to his GP with a 3-month history of alternating constipation and diarrhoea, with tenesmus and rectal bleeding. He has lost 4 kg in weight. Examination reveals a palpable mass in the left iliac fossa. What is the most appropriate next step?