Colonoscopy in Spanish

What it means

Colonoscopy is an examination of the inside of the colon using a colonoscope inserted into the rectum. The National Cancer Institute dictionary describes a colonoscope as a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing, which may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease. MedlinePlus says the procedure is most often done by a specially trained doctor called a gastroenterologist. Reasons it may be done include screening for colorectal cancer, blood in the stool, changes in bowel movements, inflammatory bowel disease, and follow-up of a past finding such as polyps or colon cancer. Polyps, small growths on the lining of the colon, can be removed through the colonoscope during the exam. In Spanish the term is colonoscopia.

Spanish term: Colonoscopia
Gender and article: feminine: la colonoscopia
Pronunciation: koh-loh-nohs-KOH-pyah

Other Spanish terms	Where it is used	Note
coloscopia	General	The National Cancer Institute's Spanish dictionary says colonoscopia is also called coloscopia.

Colonoscopia is the form used by the National Cancer Institute's Spanish dictionary and by the MedlinePlus en español encyclopedia, and it is feminine: la colonoscopia. The NCI dictionary adds that it is also called coloscopia. The instrument is un colonoscopio, and the encyclopedia names the specially trained doctor who most often does the exam a gastroenterólogo.

Reasons for the exam, in the encyclopedia's wording, include exámenes de detección para cáncer colorrectal (screening for colorectal cancer), sangre en las heces (blood in the stool), cambios en las deposiciones (changes in bowel movements) and enfermedad intestinal inflamatoria (inflammatory bowel disease). Findings it names are pólipos (polyps, described as small growths on the lining of the colon), diverticulosis and colitis. A tissue sample is una muestra de tejido and the normal result is tejidos intestinales saludables (healthy intestinal tissues). Other exams mentioned alongside it are sigmoidoscopia, colonoscopia virtual and enema opaco (barium enema).

Phrases for an appointment

What a patient or a clinician might say, in English and Spanish:

Who	English	Spanish
Clinician	I recommend a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer.	Le recomiendo una colonoscopia para la detección del cáncer colorrectal.
Patient	I have no symptoms. Why do I need the exam?	No tengo síntomas. ¿Por qué necesito el examen?
Clinician	Have you seen blood in your stool or had black, tarry stools?	¿Ha visto sangre en las heces o ha tenido heces negras y alquitranosas?
Patient	My mother had colon polyps. Does that change anything for me?	Mi madre tuvo pólipos en el colon. ¿Eso cambia algo para mí?
Clinician	I am going to refer you to gastroenterology for the exam.	Voy a remitirle a gastroenterología para el examen.
Clinician	We found two small polyps and removed them during the exam.	Encontramos dos pólipos pequeños y los extirpamos durante el examen.
Patient	Were the polyps cancer?	¿Los pólipos eran cáncer?
Clinician	The tissue was sent to the lab, and we will call you with the results.	El tejido se envió al laboratorio, y le llamaremos con los resultados.

In 9 languages

Language	Term
English	Colonoscopy
Spanish (Español)	Colonoscopia
Chinese (中文)	结肠镜检查
Korean (한국어)	대장내시경
Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)	Nội soi đại tràng
Filipino (Tagalog)	Kolonoskopiya
Portuguese (Português)	Colonoscopia
Thai (ภาษาไทย)	การส่องกล้องลำไส้ใหญ่
Japanese (日本語)	大腸内視鏡

Where you'll see it

Colonoscopy prep instructionsPhysician referral orderExplanation of Benefits (EOB)Preventive care schedule

Related terms

Your right to an interpreter in the United States

If English is not your primary language and you have difficulty communicating in English, you may need an interpreter or a translated document when you visit a doctor or dentist, go to the emergency room or pick up a prescription. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights states that two federal laws, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, require programs that receive its funding to provide language access services free of charge.

You can ask when you make the appointment or at the front desk: "I need an interpreter, please." «Necesito un intérprete, por favor.»

More terms: General care: tests, procedures and medicines

All terms in this area: General care: tests, procedures and medicines — Atención general: pruebas, procedimientos y medicamentos

Sources

This page is a language reference. It is not medical advice.