By Staff Writer
Any cancer that affects the rectum and colon is called colorectal cancer. Other names of colorectal cancer are rectal cancer, bowel cancer, and colon cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates almost 1 in 21 men and 1 in 23 women have a high chance of developing colorectal cancer during their lifetime.
Colorectal is the second most common cause of cancer death in women and the third in men. The mortality risk from colorectal cancer has been decreasing due to advancements in screening methods and treatment options. It can be malignant, benign, or non-cancerous. A malignant tumor has a high probability of spreading to other areas of the body.
Polyps or irregular growths may develop in the colon or rectum and they can develop into cancer with time. Polyps can be detected using screening procedures and treated before they develop into cancer. Colorectal cancer screening also aids in the early detection of the disease, when treatment is more effective, according to recommendations by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).
Types of Colorectal Cancer:
Though colorectal cancer can appear to be self-explanatory, there are many types of colon cancer. As mentioned in the article “Colorectal Cancer” written by Carmella Wint for www.healthline.com, the differences are due to the kinds of cancerous cells that develop and where they develop.
Adenocarcinomas are the most prevalent form of colorectal cancer. Adenocarcinomas account for the majority of colorectal cancer cases, according to the American Cancer Society. Until the doctor says so, you have this kind of colorectal cancer.
Adenocarcinomas develop within the cells that are responsible for forming mucus in either rectum or colon.
On rare occasions, other types of tumors are also responsible for colorectal cancer, including
- Lymphomas: which can develop in the colon first or in lymph nodes
- Carcinoids: that initiate in hormone-forming cells within the intestine
- Sarcomas: they grow in soft tissues, including muscles in the colon
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors, which can be benign at first but become cancerous over time
Causes of Colorectal Cancer:
There is research underway to find out the causes of colorectal cancer. The commonly studied causes of colorectal cancer include genetic mutations, which can be inherited or acquired. These mutations do not mean that you will have colorectal cancer, but instead, they increase the risk. Such changes in the lining of the colon may trigger abnormal cells to aggregate and form polyps. These are minute, harmless tumors. Surgical removal of these growths is one preventative measure. Polyps that go untreated may become cancerous.
Treatment of Colorectal Cancer
According to Radiology.info, depending on the extent of spread and size of cancer, surgery may become necessary. The surgical procedure removes part or all of the colon to get rid of cancer. Colostomy and an ileostomy are essential for some patients. It diverts the contents of the bowel into an external bag. Severe cases need radiation therapy before the surgery.
External Beam Therapy (EBT)
This form of radiation therapy involves directing multiple high-energy x-ray beams specifically at a patient’s tumor for one to six weeks. These x-rays transmit radiation to the patient’s tumor, destroying tumor cells, thereby decreasing the effects on nearby healthy tissues. Fatigue and increases in bowel movement intensity are undesirable effects of this treatment.
Chemotherapy can be used as a stand-alone procedure or in conjunction with radiation therapy in many cases. Chemotherapy reduces the risk of the tumor returning or reduces the body’s tumor volume.
Some Things to Help Reduce the Risks of Colorectal Cancer
There are lifestyle changes that experts say will reduce the chances of colorectal cancer development in your body –
- Follow a healthy diet by including more plant-based and non-processed foods
- Incorporate more movement and exercise in daily routines
- Stop smoking and avoid alcohol
- Minimize or prevent stress and anxiety
- Screen at intervals as recommended by your doctors, especially at 50 years and over.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 90 percent of cases of colorectal cancer occur in people over 50 years old. However, if caught in its early stages, the survival rate is highly improved with available treatment.
