Colorectal Cancer if detected in its earliest stage, is completely curable

A healthy body weight, physical fitness and a good nutrition reduces the risk associated with colon cancer by 60-80%.

Symptoms

The symptoms of colon cancer depend on the location of tumor in bowel and whether it has spread to elsewhere in the body metastasis (is the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part).

Local Symptoms are more likely if the tumor is close to the anus. Constipation or diarrhea, feeling too tired, feelings of incomplete defecation, a reduction in the diameter of stool, change in stool shape are characteristics of rectal cancer.

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding, passage of bright red blood in the stool, mucus, black stool with a tarry appearance may be signs of colorectal cancer.

When a tumor is large enough to fill the lumen of the bowel it may cause bowel obstruction ( preventing the normal transit of the products of digestion) and it can be characterized by abdominal pains, constipation, vomiting, and abdominal distension. This may cause an obstructed distended bowel perforating and causing peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum).

When the disease has become more advanced there may be certain local effects of colorectal cancer. A large tumor can be notice by feeling the abdomen, or a doctor may notice it on a physical examination. The disease may invade other organs and may cause blood and air in the urine. Doctors call this invasion of the bladder.

Constitutional symptoms

Palpitations, fatigue and a pale appearance of the skin can be experienced.

Appetite can decreased causing weight loss due to colorectal cancer.

Some other unusual constitutional symptoms of colon cancer are-fever, thrombosis (the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel) and deep vein thrombosis (the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein).

Most commonly colorectal cancer spreads to the liver. This may go unnoticed for a long time. Large deposits in the liver can cause jaundice (yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes caused increased levels of bilirubin in the blood) and abdominal pain.

When the tumor deposits obstruct the bile duct the jaundice can be accompanied by other features such as pale stools.

Risk factors

*Age- The risk increases with age. Most cases occur in the 60s and 70s, while cases before age 50 are uncommon unless a family history of early colon cancer is present.

* Polyps of the colon- particularly adenomatous polyps, are a risk factor for colon cancer. The removal of colon polyps at the time of colonoscopy reduces the subsequent risk of colon cancer.

*History of cancer- Individuals who have previously been diagnosed and treated for colon cancer are at risk for developing colon cancer in the future. Women who have had cancer of the ovary, uterus, or breast are at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.

*Physical inactivity- People who are physically active are at lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.

*Environmental factors- Industrialized countries are at a relatively increased risk compared to less developed countries that traditionally had high-fiber/low-fat diets.

*Heredity- Family history of colon cancer.

*Diet- Studies show that a diet high in red meat and low in fresh fruit, vegetables, poultry and fish increases the risk of colorectal cancer.

* Exogenous hormones- There is evidence that exogenous estrogens such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), tamoxifen, or oral contraceptives might be associated with colorectal tumors.

*Alcohol- Drinking, especially heavily, may be a risk factor.

Diagnosis, screening and monitoring

* Fecal occult blood test- A test for blood in the stool.

* Endoscopy- A lighted probe (sigmoidoscope) is inserted into the rectum and lower colon to check for polyps and other abnormalities.

*Colonoscopy- A lighted probe called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and the entire colon to look for polyps and other abnormalities that may be caused by cancer.

Staging

* Stage 0- Tumor confined to mucosa; cancer-in-situ.

*Stage I- Tumor invades submucosa.

*Stage II-A- Tumor invades subserosa or beyond (without other organs involved).

*Stage II-B- Tumor invades adjacent organs or perforates the visceral peritoneum.

* Stage III-A- Metastasis to 1 to 3 regional lymph nodes.

*Stage III-B- N1: Metastasis to 1 to 3 regional lymph nodes T3 or T4.

*Stage III-C- Metastasis to 4 or more regional lymph nodes.

*Stage IV- Distant metastases present.

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What is the Treatment for Colon cancer?

Treatment depends on the staging of the cancer. When the cancer is caught at an early stage it can be curable. However if is detected at a later stage is less likely to be cured.

Surgery is the primary treatment, chemotherapy and radiation may be recommended depending on the individual patient’s staging and other medical conditions. It can be very challenging to treat colon cancer in older patients especially after surgery. Some clinical trials may recommend that fit elderly patients have chemotherapy after surgery and age alone should not be a contradiction to aggressive management.

Lifestyle and nutrition

A healthy body weight, physical fitness and a good nutrition reduces the risk associated with colon cancer by 60-80%. A high intake of fiber from eating vegetables, fruits cereal and other high fiber products can decrease the risk of colorectal cancer and adenoma.

The key to good health is Exercise and Eating Healthy.

If you have any symptoms or for a complete check up make an appointment to visit your Doctor.

If detected in its earliest stage, colon cancer is completely curable.