Capsule endoscopy
You swallow a small capsule for this test that takes pictures of the small bowel.
What is a capsule endoscopy?
A capsule endoscopy is a test that takes pictures of the inside of the digestive system, including all of the small bowel. It helps to diagnose small bowel cancer.
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Before your test
For this test, it is important that your bowel is empty. This is so the doctors can see your bowel clearly. For a few days before your test, you will usually be asked to change your diet. Your hospital team will give you advice on what to eat.
On the day before your test, you may be asked to take a laxative and drink plenty of fluids. This is to help empty your bowel. Not everyone will need to take laxatives before the test. Your hospital team tell you what you need to do.
On the day of your test
On the day of your capsule endoscopy, a nurse will attach a belt and recording device around your waist. You can wear these under your clothes.
You will be asked to swallow a capsule that is about the size of a large pill. Inside the capsule, there is a very small camera, a battery, a light and a transmitter.
As the capsule travels along your digestive system, the camera takes thousands of pictures of the lining of the small bowel each second. It does this for several hours. The pictures are sent to the recording device attached to your belt.
You can keep doing your normal activities while the camera is taking pictures.
After your test
About 8 hours after swallowing the capsule, you will need to return the recording device and belt to the hospital. The pictures from the recording device are put onto a computer and your doctor will look at them.
The capsule usually passes out of the rectum (back passage) naturally when you go to the toilet.
If you are concerned the capsule has not passed out, contact your doctor. They can arrange an x-ray to check.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our small bowel cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
JC Cusack, MJ Overman, H Kunitake. Treatment of small bowel neoplasms. UpToDate 2023.
AB Benson, AP Venook, MM Al-Hawary et al. Small Bowel Adenocarcinoma, Version 1.2020, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 17(9), 1109-1133. Available from: www.jnccn.org [accessed January 2023].
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Wireless capsule endoscopy for investigation of the small bowel. Published: 15 December 2004. Available from: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg101 [accessed January 2023].
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