What is Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and women and the second highest cause of cancer deaths in the USA. Yet, when found early, it is highly curable. This type of cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the lining of the large intestine (colon) or rectum.
How Does It Start?
This type of cancer often begins as polyps - benign growths on the surface of the colon. The two most common types of intestinal polyps are adenomas and hyperplastic polyps. They develop when there are errors in the way cells grow and repair the lining of the colon. Most polyps remain benign, but some have the potential to turn cancerous. Removing them early prevents colorectal cancer.
Risk Factors You CANNOT Control
Your risk of colorectal cancer depends on genetics and lifestyle. Factors you cannot control includes:
- Age - most patients are older than 50
- Polyps or inflammatory bowel disease
- Family history of colorectal cancer
- History of ovarian or breast cancer
Risk Factors You CAN Control
Some factors that raise the risk of colorectal cancer are within your control are:
- Diet high in red, processed, or heavily cooked meats
- Being overweight (excess fat around the waist)
- Exercising too little
- Smoking or drinking alcohol
There are usually no early warning signs for this type cancer. For this reason it's important to get screened. Detecting cancer early means it's more curable. As the disease progresses, patients may notice blood in the stool, abdominal pain, a change in bowel habits (such as constipation or diarrhea), unexplained weight loss, or fatigue. By the time THESE symptoms appear, tumors tend to be larger and more difficult to treat.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Because it is stealthy, screenings are the key to early detection. Beginning at age 50, most people should have a colonoscopy every 10 years. This procedure uses a tiny camera to examine the entire colon and rectum. These tests not only find tumors early, but can actually prevent colorectal cancer by removing polyps (shown below).
Diagnosing Colorectal Cancer
If testing reveals a possible tumor, the next step is a biopsy. During a colonoscopy, your doctor will remove polyps and take tissue samples from any parts of the colon that look unusual. This tissue is examined under a microscope to determine whether or not it is cancerous. Shown below is a color-enhanced, magnified view of colon cancer cells.
Staging Colorectal Cancer
If cancer is detected, it will be "staged". Staging is the process of finding out how far the cancer has spread. Tumor size may not correlate with the stage of cancer. Staging also enables your doctor to determine what type of treatment you will receive.
STAGE I - Cancer has not spread beyond the inside of the colon or rectum
STAGE II - Cancer has spread into the muscle layer of the colon or rectum
STAGE III - Cancer has spread to one or more lymph nodes in the area
STAGE IV - Cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lung or bones. This stage does NOT depend on how deep the tumor has penetrated or if the disease has spread to the lymph nodes near the tumor.
Colorectal Cancer Survival Rates
The outlook for recovery depends on the stage of the cancer with higher stages meaning more serious cancer. The five-year survival ratae refers to the percentage of patients who live at least five years after being diagnosed. Stage I has a 93% five-year survival rate while Stage IV has a five-year survival rage of only 8%.
Colorectal Cancer Surgery
In all but the last stage, the usual treatment is surgery to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. In the case of larger tumors, it may be necessary to take out an entire section of the colon and/or rectum. The good news is that surgery has a very high cure rate in the early stages. If the cancer has spread to the liver, lungs, or other organs, surgery is not likely to offer a cure - but removing the additional tumors, when possible, may reduce symptoms.
Treating Advanced Colorectal Cancer
When it has spread to one or more lymph nodes (Stage III), it can still be cured. Treatment typically involves a combination of surgery, radiation (picture below), and chemotherapy. If the cancer comes back after initial treatment or spreads to other organs, it becomes much more difficult to cure. But radiation and chemotherapy can still relieve symptoms and help patients live longer.
Coping with Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy has come a long way from the days of turning people's stomachs. Newer drugs are less likely to cause this problem, and there are also medications to control nausea if it does occur. Clinical trials continue to search for chemo drugs that are more effective and tolerable.
Preventing Colorectal Cancer: Diet
There are steps you can take to dramatically reduce your odds of developing colorectal cancer. Researchers estimate that eating a nutritious diet, getting enough exercise, and controlling body fat could prevent 45% of colorectal cancers. The National Cancer Institute recommends a low-fat diet that includes plenty of fiber and at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
Preventing Colorectal Cancer: Exercise
Physical activity appears to be a powerful weapon in the defense too. In one study, the most active participants were 24% less likely to have the cancer than the least active people. It didn't matter whether the activity was linked to work or play. The American Cancer Society recommends exercising for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
(Thanks to MedicineNet.com for their explanation.)
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