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WHAT
IS THE COLON AND THE RECTUM?
Colon,
whereas, the lower part or the last few inches of
the large intestine are called the rectum. The
function of the colon, is to absorb the electrolytes
and water from the food, that is partly in the
digested from. After absorption the waste that
remains, called the stool, is passed into the rectum
which pushes it out of the body through the anus. |
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WHAT IS
COLORECTAL CANCER?
Your body is
made up of many types of cells. In normal course
cells grow, divide, and produce more cells to keep
your body healthy. However, at times this process
goes wrong and cells become abnormal forming more
cells in an uncontrolled way. These extra cells form
a mass of tissue, called a growth or a 'tumour'.
Tumours can be benign, which means not cancerous or
malignant which means cancerous. Colorectal cancer
occurs when a malignant tumour forms in the tissue
of your colon or rectum. |
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WHO IS AT RISK
OF COLORECTAL CANCER?
Colorectal
cancer is more likely to occur as people get older.
Polyps (small balloon like growths) in the colon or
rectum increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
Removal of these polyps can reduce the risk. Family
history of colorectal cancer also increase the risk.
A person who has had a condition that causes
inflammation of the colon (such as ulcerative
colitis or crohn's disease) for many years is at an
increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.
People with the family history of colon rectal,
ovarian and breast cancer are at increased risk.
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WHAT ARE THE
SYMPTOMS OF COLORECTAL CANCER?
A
common symptom of colorectal cancer is change in
bowel habits. Some other symptoms are:
-
Persistent diarrhea or constipation
- Feeling
that your bowel does not empty completely
-
Blood (either bright red or very dark) in your stool
-
Finding That your stools are narrower than usual
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Losing weight without a known reason
- Feeling
very tired all the time.
- Pain in the abdomen
Other
health problems can also cause the above symptoms.
So if you have any of these symptoms, then you
should see your doctor as soon as possible. |
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HOW IS
COLORECTAL CANCER DIAGNOSED?
If
symptoms suggest colorectal cancer your doctor will
ask you for a detailed medical history and will do a
physical examination before conducting any of the
following tests. |
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Screening
tests
Screening tests help your
doctor, find polyps or cancer before the symptoms
appear. Finding and removing polyps may prevent
colorectal cancer.
Following people are ideal
candidates for screening:
- People in their 50s
and older
- People who are at a
higher-than-average risk of colorectal cancer
The
following screening tests can be used to detect
polyps, cancer or other abnormal areas Fecal occult
blood test (FOBT): FOBT can detect tiny amounts of
blood in the stool as sometimes cancers or polyps
bleed. if this test detects blood,other tests are
required to find the source of the blood.
Sigmodoscopy:
Your doctor examines the internal part of your
rectum as well as the lower part of your colon with
a lighted tube called a sigmoid scope. If polyps are
found the doctor removes them. The procedure of
removing polyps is called a polypectomy. |
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Diagnostic
tests.
Colonoscopy: Your doctor
examines the inside of the rectum and the entire
colon using a long lighted tube called a
colonoscopy. Your doctor removes polyps that may are
found.
Double contrast barium enema: You
are given an enema with a barium solution, and air
is pumped into your rectum. Several X-ray pictures
are taken of your colon and rectum. The barium and
air help your radiologist in getting good X-ray
images of the colon and rectum. There is possibility
that polyps of tumors may show up.
Digital
rectal exam: A rectal exam is often part of a
routine physical examination. Your doctor inserts a
lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum to feel
for abnormal areas.
To know the stage of
the disease, some other tests are recommended.
Colonoscopy:
If colonoscopy was not performed for diagnosis, your
doctor checks for abnormal areas along the entire
length of the colon and rectum with a colonoscopy.
Endorectal USG: It is usually used for rectal
cancers. An ultrasound probe is inserted into your
rectum. The probe sends out sound waves that people
cannot hear. The waves bounce off your rectum and
nearby tissues, and a computer uses the echoes to
create a picture. The picture may show how deep a
rectal tumor has grown or whether the cancer has
spread to lymph nodes or other nearby tissues.
Chest
X-ray: X-rays of your chest my show whether cancer
has spread to your lungs.
CT Scan: An X-ray
machine linked to computer takes a series of
detailed pictures of areas inside your body. you may
receive an injection of dye. A CT scan may show
whether cancer has spread to the liver, lungs or
other organs.
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HOW IS
COLORECTAL CANCER TREATED?
The
choice of treatment depends mainly on the location
of the tumor in the colon or rectum and the stage of
the disease
Treatment for colorectal cancer may
involve.
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
-
Radiation therapy
Some patients receive a
combination of these treatment.
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Surgery
Surgery
is the most common treatment for colorectal cancer.
When a section of your colon or rectum is removed
your surgeon is usually able to reconnect the
healthy parts. However sometimes reconnection is not
possible. In this case the surgeon creates a new
path for waste to leave your body. The surgeon makes
an opening (stoma) in the wall of the abdomen
connects the upper end of the intestine to the
stoma, and closes the other end. The operation to
create the stoma is called a colostomy. A flat bag
fits over the stoma to collect waste and a special
adhesive holds it in place. |
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New advances
in Surgery
Laparoscopic resection
of colon or rectum is possible. Common belief that
laparoscopy may not remove whole of the cancer is
proven to be baseless. In fact with laparoscope we
can see magnified view under great illumination.
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Chemotherapy
Anticancer drugs are used to kill
the cancer cells. These drugs Used to treat
colorectal cancer, are usually given intravenously
(IV) or orally. Radiation therapy Radiation therapy
may also be used in the treatment of rectal cancer.
Radiation therapy is a treatment with high-energy
rays (such as X-rays) to kill or shrink cancer
cells. It may also be used in the treatment of
rectal cancer.
It may be used to treat caner
that has recurred, either in the skin or lymph
nodes, if it cannot be removed by surgery. It may
also be used to treat distant spread or to relieve
symptoms of cancer that have spread to the brain or
bones |
WHAT ARE THE
SIDE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT?
Unwanted
side effects may sometimes occur as cancer treatment
can damage healthy cells and tissues. These side
effects depend on many factor, including the type
and extent of the treatment. The common side effect
are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores,
hair loss etc. These side effects are temporary and
go away with time. |
PAIN
MANAGEMENT
The management of pain
is an integral part of cancer therapy. Medications
are the cornerstone of cancer pain treatment, and
their use is aimed at providing the greatest pain
relief possible with the fewest number of side
effects and the most ease of administration. Your
doctor will prescribe a medication that ensures
maximum pain relief. Sometimes your doctor might
recommend some interventional procedure like surgery
and/or injections. Complementary and alternative
forms of medicine may also be helpful in relieving
cancer pain. |
FOLLOW UP CARE
In
cancer treatment, follow up care is an essential
element of the overall treatment plan. Regular
checkup will be advised to detect any changes in
your health as early as possible. |
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