Colorectal Cancer: Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatment

by Apollo Hospitals Delhi Touching Lives

Colorectal cancer is a term used to group colon and rectal cancers. It is also known as bowel cancer.

Causes

Colorectal cancers can be attributed to small growths called polyps that appear on the linings of the colon or the rectum. However, not all polyps turn cancerous. Adenomatous polyps (adenomas), sessile serrated polyps (SSP) and traditional serrated adenomas (TSA) can be precancerous - meaning they could or could not turn into cancer. Hyperplastic polyps and inflammatory polyps are the most common types of polyps found in the rectum and colon, but these are not precancerous.

Colorectal cancer can also begin in other cells. These include the following:

• Adenocarcinomas begin in the cells that create mucus in the colon or rectum
• Lymphoma starts in the lymph nodes found in the colon
• Sarcomas form in the soft tissue and muscles of the colon and rectum
• Carcinoids form in the hormone-making cells in the intestine
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumors usually occur in the digestive tract but rarely in the colon

Risk Factors

• Prior history of colon polyps
• Family history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps
• Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
• Being 50 years or older
• Being overweight or obese
• Being physically inactive
• Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Diets high in red meat and processed meats

Symptoms

Colorectal cancer is hard to diagnose in the early stages as there may not be any distinguishable symptoms. However, if they do show then they could include:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Changes in stool color
• Changes in stool shape, like narrowed stool
• Blood in the stool
• Rectal bleeding
• Bloating and a feeling of fullness
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Lump in the abdomen or rectum

If these symptoms persist for 3-4 weeks then visiting a doctor for a colorectal cancer screening should be the next step.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Colorectal cancers can be diagnosed with the help of colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, fecal tests, X-rays and CT colonography.

Treatment for colorectal cancers may include:

• Surgery to remove cancerous polyps
• Colostomy (when the cancer has metastasized or the rectum needs to be removed)
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Ablation
• Medications

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital’s oncology unit offers comprehensive services to diagnose and treat all types of cancers including colorectal cancers. Our department is home to some of the best surgical oncologists in Delhi  with notable names like Dr. Praveen Garg on the team. Backed by years of experience in cancer surgery, radiation oncology and medical oncology, we have consistently made lives cancer-free with unparalleled success.

Click here to know more about our oncology services or to book an appointment today. 

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Created on Jun 7th 2021 01:56. Viewed 384 times.

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