Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer is the form of cancer occurring due to irregular growth of the cells that line the colon or the large intestine or the rectum. This form of cancer holds the third position for the most commonly detected cancer amongst both sexes and the second rank for the peak reason for cancer fatalities in the United States. However, when detected early on, it has high cure rates.
How it originates?
Colorectal Cancer mostly starts as polyp formations or non-malignant appearances on the exterior of the colon. The two prevalent forms of intestinal polyp formations are adenoma and hyperplastic polyp which evolve due to the flaws in the growth and restorative process of the cells that line the colon. Majority of the polyps stay benignant, however few have the probability of turning malignant. The early removal of such polyps helps in averting colorectal cancer.
Uncontrollable Risk Factors
One’s risk of developing colorectal cancer is dependent on heredity and lifestyle that cannot be changed in any way, namely:
- Aging is a risk factor and majority of the patients are beyond the age of fifty.
- Presence of polyps or IBS (inflammatory bowel disease).
- Those with a family past of this form of cancer.
- Those who have previously had ovarian or breast cancer.
Controllable Risk Factors
Few of the controllable factors that increase the chances of developing colorectal cancer are:
- Dietetic intake rich in red meats that have undergone heavy cooking or processing.
- Those obese individuals having surplus fat accumulation around the waist area.
- Those with sedentary lifestyles with hardly any form of physical exercise.
- Those who smoke or drink alcohol.
Symptoms of colorectal colon cancer
There are generally no initial caveat signs of colorectal cancer hence it is vital to undergo screening as early detection translates to better curability. The progression of the disease leads to signs like blood-inundated bowels, pain in the abdomen; tumors have a tendency of becoming bigger and trickier to cure.
Diagnosis & Tests
As colorectal cancer is furtive, hence getting screened is the means to detecting the disease early on. Starting from fifty years of age onwards, majority of the individuals must undergo colonoscopy every decade. This diagnostic method involves the examination of the complete colon and rectum via a small camera.
Such tests are not just early finders and prompters of the tumors, but could truly avert colorectal cancer by exterminating the polyps.
Virtual Colonoscopy
There is presently a substitute for colonoscopy which employs images obtained from CAT scans for producing three dimensional model of the colon. Virtual colonoscopy is the procedure that could show the presence of the polyps or other anomalies without the actual insertion of the camera within the body. The major downside is that in case polyps are detected, an actual colonoscopy would yet be the requirement for the removal and evaluation of these polyps.
X-rays of the Lower Gastrointestinal Tract
X-rays performed of the lower GI tract (colon) employs a creamy fluid called as barium as a contrasting agent for facilitating comprehensible viewing of the inner parts of the colon and the rectum thus proffering another means of detecting polyps, tumors and any alterations in the tissues present in the intestines that might constrict the colon. Similar to virtual colonoscopy, any irregularities which are observed in the X-rays would require follow-up with the assistance of standard colonoscopy.
