Types, Symptoms and Treatments

Colorectal Cancer - Types, Symptoms and Treatments

Cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer, and the cancer that begins in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Cancers affecting either of these organs also may be called colorectal cancer. It is a disease which malignant (cancer) cells first form in the tissues of the colon. Colorectal cancer occurs in rectum or the large intestine. This type of cancer occurs when abnormal tissues grow on the inner walls of the colon and rectum. These abnormal tissues commonly present in the form of polyps. Polyps grow as a projection of tissue away from the colon wall, remaining connected to the colon wall of a thin stalk. Their shape is similar that of a mushroom. Polyps are fairly common, especially in older people. The vast majority of polyps are not cancerous. However, some polyps will eventually become cancerous. Unchecked, a cancerous polyp gives rise to a tumor, which grows in size until it penetrates to bowel wall and involves adjacent organs and lymph nodes through the process known as metastasis.

Types

In general, colorectal cancers tend to be slow growing, gradually enlarging and eventually penetrating the bowel wall. When they do spread, it is usually through invasion of nearby lymph nodes. On the right side of the colon near the cecum, cancers usually grow into the space within the colon. They can become large enough to be painful and are likely to cause bleeding. In these cases anemia from chronic blood loss is often the first sign and is why a stool test for occult, or hidden, blood is important.

Most polyps and cancers appear on the left side of the colon. In the left or descending colon, where the channel is narrow, the cancer usually grows around the colon wall and encircles it. Left-sided cancer typically constricts the bowel channel, causing partial blockage.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, fatigue.
• Going to the toilet more often.
• A feeling that the bowel does not empty properly after a bowel movement.
• Pain and bloating in the abdomen.
• Blood in stools.
• Inexplicable weight loss.
• A lump in the tummy.
• Unexplained iron deficiency in men, or in women after the menopause.

Causes

• Alcohol.
• Polyps.
• Diabetes.
• Age and gender.
• High cholesterol diet.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
• Genetics.
• Lack of exercise.
• Smoking.
• Obesity.
• Numerous adenomatous polyps develop in the colon, ultimately leading to cancer.
• A family history of this cancer.
• Drug effects.

Diagnosis

A person with colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in following ways:

• It is found on a routine screening test.
• Symptoms lead a person to the doctor, and tests to find the cause of the symptoms reveal colorectal cancer.

Treatments

Treatments may include following options, alone or in combination:

• Surgery - Surgical options include:

1. Bowel resection: This operation involves cutting into the abdomen to reach the area of the colon or rectum that is affected by the cancer. The surgeon cuts out the cancer as well as the parts of the colon or rectum that are next to it. Then the two healthy ends of the colon or rectum are sewn back together.

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