COLORECTAL

CANCER
By:- Vaibhav Swarup
What is it.

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of the
digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last several inches of the colon.
Together, they're often referred to as colorectal cancers.
Risk factors
• Older age.
• African-American race.
• A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
• Inflammatory intestinal conditions.
• Inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk.
• Family history of colon cancer and colon polyps.
• Low-fiber, high-fat diet.
• A sedentary lifestyle.
• Diabetes.
• Obesity.
• Smoking
• Alcohol.
Stages
Stage I. Cancer has grown through the superficial lining (mucosa) of the colon
or rectum but hasn’t spread beyond the colon wall or rectum.
Stage II. Cancer has grown into or through the wall of the colon or rectum but
hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III. Cancer has invaded nearby lymph nodes but isn’t affecting other parts
of the body yet.
Stage IV. Cancer has spread to distant sites, such as other organs –liver or lung.
Sign and symptoms
• A change in bowel habits
• Diarrhoea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not
empty completely
• Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool
• Stools that are narrower than usual
• General abdominal discomfort
• Constant tiredness
• Vomiting
Diagnosis and Confirmation Tests
1. Physical exam and history
– To check general signs of health

2. Digital rectal exam

– inserts a lubricated gloved finger into the rectum to feel
for lumps or anything else that seems unusual.
3. Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
– small amounts of blood in the feces which would not
normally see or be aware of.

4. Sigmoidoscopy
– The rectum and lower colon are examined using a lighted
instrument called a sigmoidoscope
5. Colonoscopy
◦ The rectum and entire colon are examined using a lighted instrument called a
colonoscope
6. Double contrast barium enema (DCBE)

A series of x-rays of the entire colon and rectum are taken after the patient is
given an enema with a barium solution and air is introduced into the colon
◦ The barium and air help to outline the colon and rectum on the x-rays
7. Computed Tomography (CT Scan)
Combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce
multiple images or pictures of the inside of the body
◦ A CT scan may be used if colorectal cancer has metastasized to other organs
8. Positron emission tomography (PET)
Help to determine whether an abnormal area seen on another imaging test is a
tumor or not.
◦ For patients who have already been diagnosed with cancer, this test help the
doctor to see if the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
Surgery
– Local excision
• Removing cancer without cutting through abdominal wall
put a tube through the rectum into the colon
– Anastomosis
• Part of the colon containing the cancer and nearby
healthy tissue are removed, and then the cut ends of the
colon are joined.
◦ Colostomy
• Part of the colon containing the cancer and nearby healthy
tissue is removed, a stoma is created, and a colostomy bag
is attached to the stoma.
Chemotherapy
• Use drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells
• killing the cells
stopping them from dividing.
2 types :
i. Systemic chemotherapy
◦ • Taken orally or intravenously
ii. Regional chemotherapy
◦ placed directly into the spinal column, an organ, or a body cavity
Radiation
• Use high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing.
• local therapy – affects the cancer cells only in the treated area.

2 types:
• External radiation therapy
– uses a machine outside the body to send radiation toward the
cancer.
• Internal radiation therapy
– uses a radioactive substance sealed in needles or catheters that
are placed directly into or near the cancer.
Prevention
1. Screening
• 6 out of every 10 deaths could be prevented if all men and
women aged 50 years or older were screened routinely.
•Remove precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer.
2. Reduce risk of developing colorectal cancer
• increasing physical activity
• eating fruits and vegetables
• limiting alcohol consumption
• avoiding tobacco