Physical Examination 
• Digital rectal examination to feel for lumps.
• Abdominal exam for a mass or an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly). 
• Enlarged lymph nodes over the left collarbone and in the groin (inguinal) area.

Blood and Other Tests 
• Test for hidden blood in the stools (stool tests for bleeding may be negative in half of colorectal cancer cases).
• Complete blood count (CBC).
• Urinalysis. 
• Serum chemistry profile, including liver enzymes , cholesterol, calcium and serum iron or ferritin (for anemia).
• Test for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a serum tumor marker that may be elevated with primary or
  recurrent colorectal cancer. Very high levels of CEA may indicate more advanced disease. The CEA level
  should be measured before surgery and, if elevated, periodically (every 3 to 6 months) after surgery.
• Beta-2 microglobulin or CA 19-9 may be a sensitive indicator for tumor bulk and may indicate metastases
  when the CEA level is normal.

Imaging 
• Barium enema x-ray.