Introduction
When the cells that lining the colon or the
rectum develop abnormalities and out-of-control growth, colorectal cancer
develops. Regular colorectal cancer tests are crucial since symptoms frequently
do not manifest until the disease has spread. Get in touch with the Colon Cancer Surgeon in Chandigarh to know more about the healing process.
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that
starts in the colon, whereas rectal cancer starts in the rectum. Colorectal
cancer is a term used to describe cancers that affect either of these organs.
While not always the case, the majority of
colorectal malignancies often start out as adenomatous (precancerous) polyps
and progress over time. After a sequence of mutations (abnormalities) occur in
their cellular DNA, polyps (growths) might alter and change into a cancer.
Following are the commonest risk factors
seen in patients who develop colorectal cancer.
1.
Family history of colon or
rectal cancer
2.
Diet esp. non vegetarian diet
3.
Alcohol consumption
4.
Smoking
5.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Understanding which physiological systems
are impacted and how they function might help one better comprehend colorectal
cancer. The Colon Cancer Surgeon in Chandigarh can help you out in the cure of
the same:
The colon
The small intestine and the rectum are
connected by the colon, a 5- to 6-foot-long tube. The colon, also known as the
large intestine with the rectum, transports and breaks down food as it travels
through your body to the rectum, where it is eliminated as stool.
The colon is divided into numerous
sections, including right, transverse, left and sigmoid colon. Undigested food
starts its journey through the colon in the caecum and ascending colon.
Undigested food travels upward through this region, where fluid is more
effectively reabsorbed.
The Rectum
The rectum, a chamber of 5 to 6 inches,
joins the colon and the anus. The rectum's function is to serve as a storage
space and keep the stool until defecation (evacuation) takes place.
How does colon cancer progress?
In order to maintain the body's health and
appropriate operation, all of the body's cells typically develop, divide, and
eventually pass away. This procedure occasionally spirals out of control. Even
when they should be dying, cells continue to grow and divide. Colorectal cancer
may eventually manifest when the cells lining the colon and rectum proliferate
unchecked.
Thankfully, the majority of colorectal
malignancies start as little precancerous polyps (adenomatous or serrated). The
majority of the time, these polyps develop slowly and do not show symptoms
until they are huge or malignant. This gives the chance for early diagnosis and
excision of pre-cancerous polyps before they turn malignant.
What are the signs and symptoms of
colorectal cancer?
Sadly, smaller colorectal tumours may exist
without showing any symptoms. To identify issues early, it is crucial to
conduct routine colorectal screenings (examinations). The most effective
screening test is a colonoscopy. Fecal occult blood tests, faecal DNA testing,
flexible sigmoidoscopy, barium enema, and CT colonography are further screening
methods (virtual colonoscopy).
Your risk factors, particularly a family
history of colon and rectal cancers, will determine when such screening tests
start and at what age. If you experience any of the warning symptoms of the
disease, let your Colon Cancer Surgeon in Chandigarh know right once.
The following are typical indications of
colorectal cancer:
- Changes in bowel habits:
Although bowel incontinence, constipation, diarrhoea, narrowing of stools,
incomplete evacuation, and other symptoms are often signs of other, less severe
conditions, colon cancer can also present with these symptoms.
- Blood on or in the stool can be
a marker of colon cancer, and is by far the most obvious of all the symptoms.
However, since many other conditions, such as hemorrhoid's, anal tears
(fissures), ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease, to mention a few, can also
cause digestive tract bleeding, it is not always a sign of cancer. Additionally,
iron and other foods, like beets, can make the faeces seem black or crimson,
deceiving the user into thinking there is blood in the stool.
- Pain in the abdomen
- Abdominal distension
- Weight loss and loss of
appetite.
- Anaemia is a deficiency of red
blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.
Breathlessness is one of the symptoms of anaemia. Additionally, you can feel so
worn out and lethargic that even sleeping won't help you feel better.
- Bloating or discomfort in the
abdomen or pelvis
- Vomiting
What if I have a family history of
colorectal cancer?
If you have a family history of colorectal
cancer, your doctor will advise screening sooner for the disease. Your Colon
Cancer Surgeon in Chandigarh will go through all of your risk factors with you
in order to identify the ideal age to begin screening. A familial or personal
history of polyps, an abdominal cancer history, and a history of inflammatory
bowel illness are a few examples of these risk factors.
According to some research, your chance of
developing colorectal cancer is 2-3 times higher if you have a first-degree
relative who has the disease than if you don't. Your mother, father, brother or
sister, and kid all qualify as first-degree relatives.
How is colorectal cancer diagnosed?
Several tests can be used to identify
colorectal cancer. You can be diagnosed with this ailment after you start to
exhibit symptoms or if your healthcare provider discovers something abnormal
during a screening test. Your Colon Cancer Surgeon in Chandigarh may order the
following tests as part of the diagnosing process:
- A blood test (Complete blood count, tumour markers and liver enzymes)
- · Imaging exams (X-rays, CT scan, MRI scan, PET scan, ultrasound, angiography)
Before you have any symptoms, routine
screening tests are performed. The commonest is to check for blood in stools.
Depending on the disease's stage,
colorectal cancer is treated. Cancer severity is determined by staging.
Radiation, chemotherapy, and Surgery are all possible treatment modalities and
may be combined for best results. Get in touch with Dr. Rajeev Kapoor, Colon
Cancer Surgeon in Chandigarh and know more about the procedures to get cured of
the colorectal cancer.
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