Colorectal cancer comes from abnormal cell growth in the colon or rectum, and it's one of the most common cancers worldwide.
The colon is another name for the large intestine connected to the rectum and ends at the anus. It absorbs water and nutrients from food and pushes waste and stool through the rectum and anus out of the body.
In this article, we will look at the symptoms of colon and rectal cancer, its causes, how it's diagnosed, and treatment options.
Symptoms of colon and rectal cancer
Symptoms and signs of colon and rectal cancer are somewhat vague and similar to other diseases, including Irritable bowel syndrome, so having some or all of these symptoms doesn't always mean a person has colon or rectal cancer. But it's important to discuss them with a doctor.
Symptoms and signs of colon and rectal cancer include:-
- Changes in bowel habits, like how often you poop, how the stool looks, and if there's pain or pressure in the rectum.
- Diarrhea or constipation, or feeling like you can't fully empty your bowels.
- Blood in the stool, either bright red or very dark.
- Stools that look thinner than usual.
- Pain or discomfort in the belly.
- Having pain, gas, bloating, fullness, and belly cramps.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Constant fatigue and tiredness.
- Anemia Unexplained or iron deficiency.
Causes of colon and rectal cancer
There is no known cause for most cases of colon and rectal cancer. Causes and risk factors can vary, but age is the biggest risk factor.
Also, lifestyle factors can raise the risk of colon and rectal cancer, including cigarette smoking andobesity and alcohol consumption.
Other risk factors that can increase the risk of colon and rectal cancer include:
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Family history, having a first-degree relative with colon or rectal cancer.
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Having a hereditary condition like familial adenomatous polyposis or Lynch syndrome.
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Having benign polyps in the colon or rectum.
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Having ovarian cancer.
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Having inflammatory bowel diseases like chronic ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
How colon and rectal cancer is diagnosed
If someone has symptoms of colon or rectal cancer and discusses them with a specialist doctor who suspects cancer, the doctor will do some physical exams and tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Diagnostic tests for colon and rectum can include:
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Stool blood tests, like fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test.
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Complete blood count and liver enzyme tests.
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Carcinoembryonic antigen tests.
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Tests that let a specialist see the colon and rectum and take samples (biopsies) if needed, like colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.
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Imaging tests inside the body to check and monitor cancer growth, such as CT scans, ultrasounds, MRI, X-rays, and PET scans.
These exams can also help determine the stage of colon and rectal cancer, and let the doctor compare different cancer types and help choose the best treatments.
Types of colon and rectal cancer
Most colon and rectal cancers are adenocarcinomas, starting in the cells lining the inside of the colon and rectum. Other types of cancer that can develop in the colon and rectum include:-
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Neuroendocrine tumor of the colon or rectum.
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Gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
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Small cell carcinoma.
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Lymphoma of the colon or rectum.
Treatment options for colon and rectal cancer
Treatment depends on the type and stage. Sometimes colon and rectal cancer can be treated and cured with different options the doctor will decide for the patient.
Treatment options for colon and rectal cancer include:-
- Surgery
Colon and rectal surgery is the most common treatment for colon and rectal cancer. Usually, the doctor removes the tumor, some healthy tissue around it, and nearby lymph nodes. Surgery is often combined with other treatments like radiation.
- Radiation
Radiation therapy uses high-energy waves to kill cancer cells. For colon and rectal cancer, you might get radiation before or after surgery. Sometimes chemo is given with radiation to make it work better.
- Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill fast-growing cells, including cancer cells. Multiple chemo drugs can be combined and given on a set schedule over a certain time. It can be given before or after surgery or with radiation.
- Targeted drugs
Targeted drugs focus on the cancer's genes, proteins, or how it grows and survives. Not all cancers have the same targeted drugs. The doctor will do tests to find genes, proteins, or other things in the tumor that these drugs can target.
- Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy for colon and rectal cancer works by involving the immune system to fight the cancer. The main immunotherapy drugs used for this cancer are immune checkpoint inhibitors.
In the end, if a person is diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer, the diagnosis depends on the type of cancer and how advanced it is. Survival rates for this cancer vary based on the stage and type.
