Colorectal cancer is a disease in which cancer cells grow in the colon and/or rectum. The colon and the rectum are parts of the large intestine.
Cancer occurs when cells in the body divide out of control or order. If cells keep dividing, a mass of tissue, called a growth or tumor, forms. The term cancer refers to malignant tumors. They can invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor does not invade or spread.
Research shows that certain risk factors are associated with the disease, these include:
Colorectal cancer often does not have any symptoms, but some symptoms associated with colorectal cancer include:
These may also be caused by other, less serious health conditions. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should see a doctor.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Tests include:
Once colon cancer is found, staging tests are performed to find out if the cancer has spread and, if so, to what extent. Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer.
Treatments include:
Surgery is the main treatment. It requires removal of the cancerous tumor and nearby colon or rectum tissue. It may also involve nearby lymph nodes.
In most cases, the healthy portions of the colon or rectum are reconnected. Sometimes they cannot be joined. In this case, a temporary or permanent colostomy is necessary. This is a surgical opening through the abdomen into the colon. Body waste can exit here into a special bag.
This is the use of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It is directed at the site of the tumor from a source outside the body. It is used alone or in combination with chemotherapy in rectal cancer.
This therapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be given in many forms, including pill, injection, and via a catheter. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body killing mostly cancer cells. It can also kill some healthy cells.
If you are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, follow your doctor's instructions .
The cause of most colorectal cancer is not known. However, it is possible to prevent many colon cancers by finding and removing polyps that could become cancerous. Beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for the development of colorectal cancer should follow one of the five screening options listed below:
Be sure to discuss these cancer screening tools with your doctor to see which option is best for you.
People with any of the following risk factors should begin colorectal cancer screening earlier at age 40 and/or undergo screening more often:
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca/
Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada
http://www.colorectal-cancer.ca/
References:
Casciato DA. Manual of Clinical Oncology . 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.
Colon carcinoma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Accessed March 18, 2008.
Colon and rectal cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colon-and-rectal . Accessed July 17, 2008.
National colorectal cancer roundtable. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6X_National_Colorectal_Cancer_Roundtable.asp?sitearea .
US Preventative Task Force. Screening for colorectal cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2008;149:627-637. Epub 2008 Oct 6.
Last reviewed February 2009 by Daus Mahnke, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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