Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the cancer of the colon or rectum located at the lower end of the digestive tract. It is also known as bowel, colon or rectal cancer and is the third most common cancer globally, accounting for nearly 1.4 million new cases and 694,000 deaths per year. Although, colorectal cancers are not talked about widely, they are increasing at a rapid rate and early detection is the key to survival. While the prevalence of this disease was predominantly in the western countries earlier, it has been increasing exponentially in India. Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and a healthy lifestyle alongside regular screening can safeguard against the disease significantly.
Causes and symptoms
Colorectal cancer is the cancer of the colon or rectum located at the lower end of the digestive tract. It is also known as bowel, colon or rectal cancer and is the third most common cancer globally, accounting for nearly 1.4 million new cases and 694,000 deaths per year. Although, colorectal cancers are not talked about widely, they are increasing at a rapid rate and early detection is the key to survival. While the prevalence of this disease was predominantly in the western countries earlier, it has been increasing exponentially in India. Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and a healthy lifestyle alongside regular screening can safeguard against the disease significantly.
The risk factors for colorectal cancer usually spikes up over an age, usually after the age of 50. Other prevalent causes are:
The risk for colorectal cancer increases post 50 years of age
Personal history of colorectal polyps (a small clump of cells) or colorectal cancer
Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease)
Family history of colorectal cancers
Obesity
Lack of regular physical activity/ exercise
There are also certain risk factors for colorectal cancer, which include:
Change in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts over a few days
A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by doing so
Dark stool or blood in the stool
Weakness and fatigue
Weight loss
Cramping or abdominal belly pain
Prevention and myths
According to Dr. Amanjeet Singh, Associate Director, GI Surgery, GI Oncology and Bariatric Surgery, Institute of Digestive and Hepatobiliary Sciences, certain factors can help treat and prevent the risk associated to Colorectal Cancer. These include:
-3 to 4 hours of vigorous physical activity per week can help decrease risk.
-Avoid high intake of red meats including lamb, liver and pork and processed meats such as hot dogs
-Avoid smoking and limit the consumption of alcohol
-Add more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to your diet
-Get yourself screened regularly post the age of 45 years
The treatment
The treatment for colorectal cancer is determined basis the location and stage of the cancer and overall health of the patient. Colorectal cancer can be treated through surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Early-stage colorectal cancer can be treated through:
Colonoscopy- if the cancer is small, localized and within a polyp, it can be removed completely during colonoscopy (test used to detect changes or abnormalities in the colonand rectum)
Endoscopic mucosal resection- this is used in case of larger polyps and involves a colonoscopy. However, a small part of the inner lining of the intestine is also removed along with the polyp using specialized tools during colonoscopy.
Laparoscopic surgery (Minimally Invasive surgery)- this is used in cases where the polyp cannot be removed through a colonoscopy. Laparoscopic surgery involves making small incisions in the abdominal wall for inserting instruments with an attached camera that displays the colon on a monitor for safe and effective removal of the polyp
Advanced colorectal cancer can be treated through:
Partial Colectomy- this procedure involves removal of the part of the colon that contains the cancer along with some normal tissues surrounding the cancer. It is generally conducted through a laparoscopic approach and the surgeon reconnects the healthy portions of the colon or rectum post-surgery.
Surgery for enabling waste to be removed from the body- this is undertaken when in rare cases it is difficult to reconnect the healthy portions of the colon or rectum. The process is called ostomy and involves creating an opening in the abdominal wall (from a portion of the remaining bowel) for eliminating stool into a bag that is fitted over the opening.
Radiotherapy- this involves the use of powerful X-rays and protons for killing cancer cells and is a good option in case surgery cannot be conducted. It is also used to shrink the cancer ahead of a surgery for easy removal
Chemotherapy- this involves the use of drugs for destroying cancer cells and is usually administered post-surgery if the cancer is large or has spread to the lymph nodes. Like radiotherapy, chemotherapy can also be used to shrink the cancer ahead of a surgery.
Targeted drug therapy- this treatment focuses on specific abnormalities within cancer cells and blocks them through targeted drug treatment, thereby killing the cancer cells
Immunotherapy- it is a drug-based treatment that utilizes the patient’s own immune system to fight cancer cells.
Causes and symptoms
Colorectal cancer is the cancer of the colon or rectum located at the lower end of the digestive tract. It is also known as bowel, colon or rectal cancer and is the third most common cancer globally, accounting for nearly 1.4 million new cases and 694,000 deaths per year. Although, colorectal cancers are not talked about widely, they are increasing at a rapid rate and early detection is the key to survival. While the prevalence of this disease was predominantly in the western countries earlier, it has been increasing exponentially in India. Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and a healthy lifestyle alongside regular screening can safeguard against the disease significantly.
The risk factors for colorectal cancer usually spikes up over an age, usually after the age of 50. Other prevalent causes are:
The risk for colorectal cancer increases post 50 years of age
Personal history of colorectal polyps (a small clump of cells) or colorectal cancer
Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease)
Family history of colorectal cancers
Obesity
Lack of regular physical activity/ exercise
There are also certain risk factors for colorectal cancer, which include:
Change in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts over a few days
A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by doing so
Dark stool or blood in the stool
Weakness and fatigue
Weight loss
Cramping or abdominal belly pain
Prevention and myths
According to Dr. Amanjeet Singh, Associate Director, GI Surgery, GI Oncology and Bariatric Surgery, Institute of Digestive and Hepatobiliary Sciences, certain factors can help treat and prevent the risk associated to Colorectal Cancer. These include:
-3 to 4 hours of vigorous physical activity per week can help decrease risk.
-Avoid high intake of red meats including lamb, liver and pork and processed meats such as hot dogs
-Avoid smoking and limit the consumption of alcohol
-Add more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to your diet
-Get yourself screened regularly post the age of 45 years
The treatment
The treatment for colorectal cancer is determined basis the location and stage of the cancer and overall health of the patient. Colorectal cancer can be treated through surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Early-stage colorectal cancer can be treated through:
Colonoscopy- if the cancer is small, localized and within a polyp, it can be removed completely during colonoscopy (test used to detect changes or abnormalities in the colonand rectum)
Endoscopic mucosal resection- this is used in case of larger polyps and involves a colonoscopy. However, a small part of the inner lining of the intestine is also removed along with the polyp using specialized tools during colonoscopy.
Laparoscopic surgery (Minimally Invasive surgery)- this is used in cases where the polyp cannot be removed through a colonoscopy. Laparoscopic surgery involves making small incisions in the abdominal wall for inserting instruments with an attached camera that displays the colon on a monitor for safe and effective removal of the polyp
Advanced colorectal cancer can be treated through:
Partial Colectomy- this procedure involves removal of the part of the colon that contains the cancer along with some normal tissues surrounding the cancer. It is generally conducted through a laparoscopic approach and the surgeon reconnects the healthy portions of the colon or rectum post-surgery.
Surgery for enabling waste to be removed from the body- this is undertaken when in rare cases it is difficult to reconnect the healthy portions of the colon or rectum. The process is called ostomy and involves creating an opening in the abdominal wall (from a portion of the remaining bowel) for eliminating stool into a bag that is fitted over the opening.
Radiotherapy- this involves the use of powerful X-rays and protons for killing cancer cells and is a good option in case surgery cannot be conducted. It is also used to shrink the cancer ahead of a surgery for easy removal
Chemotherapy- this involves the use of drugs for destroying cancer cells and is usually administered post-surgery if the cancer is large or has spread to the lymph nodes. Like radiotherapy, chemotherapy can also be used to shrink the cancer ahead of a surgery.
Targeted drug therapy- this treatment focuses on specific abnormalities within cancer cells and blocks them through targeted drug treatment, thereby killing the cancer cells
Immunotherapy- it is a drug-based treatment that utilizes the patient’s own immune system to fight cancer cells.
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