colorectal cancer | What is Colorectal Cancer?

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What is Colorectal Cancer?


Colorectal cancer is commonly called bowel cancer. It usually begins in the large intestine and, according to its starting point, colorectal cancer is sometimes called colon cancer or rectal cancer.

The primary site of cancer
Cancer can begin as one or more polyps that eventually begin to develop in the wall of the colon or rectum. This then spreads to the walls and via blood vessels or lymphatic vessels to nearby lymph nodes and then to distant body parts, such as the liver. Spreading to distant parts of the body is called metastasis.

Symptoms of bowel cancer
There may be few or no symptoms in the early stages of bowel cancer. This is what makes this cancer so dangerous.

There may be blood or mucus in the stool, an unexplained change in bowel habits with diarrhea or prolonged constipation, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss. Cancer can sometimes start in the small bowels but this is rarer.

Colorectal statistics of cancer
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK after chest and lung cancer. Around 40,000 new cases are identified each year. Furthermore, colorectal cancer is the second common cause of cancer death in the UK. The incidence rate was 47.2 (29.4 colon, right 17.8) per 100,000 population in the UK in 2008.

two thirds of bowel cancers develop in the colon, with the third remaining development in the rectum. Rates are higher for men than women for both colon and rectal cancers. The majority of the common ages affected by cancer are those over the age of 65.

In the United States, apart from the interface cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer has diagnosed in both men and women. The life risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 20 (5.1%). Colorectal cancer is also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States when both sexes are considered together.

Risk factors
Certain factors raise the risk of colorectal cancer. These include:

Age - most cases occur in people over age 65.
Gender - men are at a higher risk of colorectal cancer than women.
Diet - those who have a regular high proportion of fiber and low proportions of saturated fat have a lower risk of bowel cancer. A high diet in red or processed meats raises the risk of bowel cancer.
Obese and overweight are at a greater risk of bowel cancer.
Those who lead a more sedentary life with little exercise are at a high risk.
High ingestion of alcohol and risk of smoking of bowel cancer increase.
Family history and inherited circumstances can raise the risk in some people.
Selection for bowel cancer
If detected early bowel cancer can be successfully treated. All people between the ages of 60 and 69 are offered screening for bowel cancer every two years and the current screening program is extending to England aged 70 to 75.

Selection is made by taking a small sample of faeces and testing it in the presence of blood. This is called the fecal occult blood test or FBT. An extra screening trial is being introduced over the next three years for all people at age 55. This trial includes flexible sigmoidoscopy which includes searching for polyps and growths within the intestines with a flexible tube with a camera at its suggestion.

Treatment and prognosis
Visceral cancer can be treated using a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Some people can also benefit from biological therapy. If bowel cancer is diagnosed early, there is a greater chance of survival for at least 5 years after the diagnosis than if diagnosed later.