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Colorectal cancer is a term used to describe cancers (lumps, growths, tumours) of the colon (the large intestine or bowel) and rectum. Together, they are one of the most common cancers in the world. Tumours can be described as benign or malignant. Benign tumours do not spread, but malignant tumours, such as in colorectal cancer, are made up of cells that can spread to and damage other parts of the body.

If cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms. This mass of extra tissue, called a growth or tumor, can be benign or malignant.

Benign tumors are not cancer. They can usually be removed and, in most cases, they do not come back. Most important, cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Benign tumors are rarely a threat to life.

Causes

Researchers do not know the cause of colorectal cancer. But they do know that certain risk factors make it more likely that a person will develop the condition. These risk factors include:

Family history. About 10 percent of all cases of colorectal cancer are thought to be hereditary. People whose family members have had the disorder are more likely to contract it themselves.

History of colorectal cancer. Some people contract colorectal cancer more than once. New cancers develop in areas other than those in which the cancer first appeared.

Symptoms

The symptoms of bowel cancer are very similar to common complaints such as piles or irritable bowel syndrome. Blood in your stool may be a sign of cancer, but it can also indicate other conditions. Bright red blood you notice on bathroom tissue may come from hemorrhoids or minor tears (fissures) in your anus, for example.

When symptoms are present, some of the most common symptoms are:

* Rectal bleeding

* Changes in bowel habits.

* Stomach cramps or abdominal pain.

Diagnosis

Screening Tests: Early diagnosis depends on routine screening. The stool can be tested for occult blood. To help ensure accurate test results, the person eats a high-fiber diet that is free of red meat for 3 days before providing a stool sample. Alternatively, a doctor can test stool obtained during a digital rectal examination, in which a gloved finger is inserted in the person’s rectum. If blood is detected, further testing is needed.

Treatment

Surgery – Surgery is an operation that involves removal of cancerous part of the colon. It acts as a primary treatment for colon cancer.

Biological therapy, also called immunotherapy, uses the body’s immune system, either directly or indirectly, to fight cancer. The immune system recognizes cancer cells in the body and works to eliminate them. Biological therapies are designed to repair, stimulate, or enhance the immune system’s natural anticancer function.

Chemotherapy – This treatment includes treatment with drugs that kills the cells, like cancer cells. This treatment is given to those with advanced cancers that have spread others parts of body, possibly outside colon.

Radiation therapy – Radiation therapy is a special kind of treatment, which uses radiation to destroy fast growing cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer is a serious disease that accounts for thousands of annual deaths among the American population. Although it can occur in people of all ages, this form of bowel cancer has the highest incidence in people with ages over 50. This year, colorectal cancer is estimated to affect around 150.000 people in the United States. An expected number of 50.000 people with colorectal cancer will eventually die from the disease.

The high annual prevalence of colorectal cancer among the American population and the increasing morbidity rate of patients diagnosed with this form of cancer are very disturbing. Despite these concerning estimates, doctors explain that colorectal cancer can be effectively overcome if it is timely discovered. In their opinion, the only problem is that people aren’t properly informed about the risks of colorectal cancer and the existence of effective means for preventing its occurrence.

Statistics indicate that very few people who are at risk of developing colorectal cancer actually show up to regular examinations. Oncologists claim that in order to minimize the risk of colorectal cancer, all people with ages over 50 should get frequent examinations. Overweight people, regular smokers or people with internal disorders should begin frequent colorectal cancer screening prior to this age.

Oncologists explain that nowadays colorectal cancer can be timely diagnosed with the means of colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, barium enemas, fecal immunochemical tests and fecal occult blood tests. With the help of these screening methods, doctors are able to reveal early signs of colorectal cancer, long before the disease can become life-threatening. These colorectal cancer screening methods can quickly spot the presence of malignant colonic polyps and tumors, allowing doctors to take early measures in preventing the development of complications.

Doctors state that early diagnosis of colorectal cancer maximizes the patients’ chances of complete recovery from the disease. In the incipient stages of colorectal cancer, the disease can be effectively overcome either through the means of medication-treatments or through the means of surgical interventions. However, if the disease is discovered late, the patients’ prognosis is very uncertain. Thus, all people at risk of developing colorectal cancer should pay regular visits to an oncologist in order to receive proper medical examinations.

The categories of people who should get regular screening for colorectal cancer are: people who have a family history of adenomatous polyposis, non-polyposis colon cancer, Gardner’s syndrome or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, people who suffer from obesity, people who have suffered recent surgery for colon cancer, physically inactive people and smokers. Doctors also recommend colorectal cancer screening for all people with ages over 50.

For more resource on different colon cancer subjects please click this http://www.colon-cancer-center.com. You can also find valuable information about colon cancer diet or even about stage3 colon cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States. While colorectal cancer is highly treatable in its incipient stage, when it is diagnosed late, the disease becomes life-threatening. Statistics indicate that there are more than 150.000 new annual cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in the United States. Although this type of cancer can be effectively prevented, it accounts for more than 50.000 deaths among the American population each year.

Colorectal cancer has the highest incidence in people with ages over 50 and it is more commonly seen in obese, smokers and physically inactive people. Although it can occur in all ethnical groups, this type of cancer is very common in African Americans. Statistics indicate that in the last few years, both the incidence and the mortality rate of colorectal cancer have known a pronounced increase among African American people. Research results reveal the fact that African American women are exposed to a very high risk of developing colorectal cancer due to obesity, unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle.

Doctors claim that colorectal cancer can be effectively treated if the disease is timely diagnosed. They state that modern medicine holds new, reliable means of preventing the progression of colorectal cancer and that people should be screened for potential malignancies more often. Regular colorectal cancer screening is recommended to anyone at risk of developing this type of cancer. The categories at risk of developing colorectal cancer are: people with ages over 50, overweight people, people with chronic gastrointestinal diseases, smokers, people who have a family history of adenomatous polyposis, non-polyposis colon cancer, Gardner’s syndrome or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and people who have suffered colon cancer surgery.

Colorectal cancer screening can be performed through multiple methods. In present, the procedures used in cancer screening are quick, safe and reliable. Furthermore, the costs of a complete annual examination for colorectal cancer are very low. A complete examination should include fecal occult blood testing, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and barium enema. These tests can easily reveal the presence of malignant colonic polyps, tumors and carcinomas in the early stages of colorectal cancer.

Nowadays, there are three basic programs used in colorectal cancer screening. The first program involves fecal occult blood testing and sigmoidoscopy. Fecal occult blood testing should be repeated annually, while sigmoidoscopy should be repeated every five years. The second program involves an initial total colon examination, followed by distal colon barium enema every five years. The last program recommended by oncologists involves an initial total colon exam, followed by colorectal examination every ten years. As the methods of colorectal screening provide similar results, patients are allowed to choose anyone of these three programs, with the condition to respect the schedule recommended by their doctor.

For more resource on different colon cancer subjects please click this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com. You can also find valuable information about colon cancer treatment or even about metastatic colon cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer worldwide. The disease has the highest incidence in well developed countries, affecting thousands of people in the United States each year. Although colorectal cancer predominantly affects people with ages over 50, some forms of the disease can also occur in young adults and even children. Colorectal cancer is a life-threatening disease that occurs on the premises of genetically inherited predispositions and environmental factors.

According to the causes that lead to the development of colon cancer, there are two main types of the disease: inherited colorectal cancer and acquired (sporadic) colorectal cancer. Inherited colorectal cancer generally occurs due to the transmission of colonic physiologic abnormalities from one generation to another. The underlying cause of inherited colorectal cancer is the formation of colonic polyps, prominent tissues that can eventually become malignant. Inherited colorectal cancer can occur at any age.

Sporadic colorectal cancer generally occurs as a consequence of inappropriate diet, unhealthy lifestyle, obesity and physical inactivity. Acquired colorectal cancer is characterized by the formation of colonic tumors and carcinomas. This type of colorectal cancer is more difficult to diagnose and it predominantly affects older adults. Unlike hereditary colorectal cancer, acquired colorectal cancer can be effectively prevented by timely making lifestyle improvements and dietary adjustments.

Regardless of its actual causes, colorectal cancer needs prompt medical intervention. If the disease is discovered early, the medical treatments available today can control the progression of colorectal cancer, improving patients’ life expectancy. However, in present there is no effective cure for colorectal cancer and medical scientists are trying to find more reliable forms of treatment for this type of malignancy.

Doctors inform that a diet rich in calcium can both reduce the risks of colorectal cancer and slow down its progression. In the presence of active Escherichia coli bacteria, calcium seems to be a major inhibitor for colorectal cancer. Recent studies have found that the progression of colorectal cancer is slowed down by a type of bacteria that populates the gastrointestinal tract. It seems that Escherichia coli, the bacteria responsible for causing diarrhea, can actually prevent colon cancer cells from multiplying.

The toxins produced by Escherichia coli inside the large bowel trigger a release of calcium, slowing down the multiplication rate of carcinoma cells. Medical scientists are currently trying to minimize the side-effects associated with Escherichia coli bacteria in order to introduce this type of organism in future treatments for colorectal cancer. In present, medical scientists focus on laboratory altering this type of bacteria so that it can act as a safe active agent in stopping the division of malignant cells.

For more resource on different colon cancer subjects please click this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com. You can also find valuable information about stage3 colon cancer or even about colon cancer diet

The colon and rectum is a part of the large intestine and their functions are to absorb water and nutrients from food this way concentrating the stool, and to form and store the stool until its evacuation.

Cancer is an affection which interferes in the process of cell division and makes the cells divide chaotically, leading to a mass of abnormal cells that forms a tumor. Colorectal cancer is the disease that affects the cells from the colon and rectum creating a malign or benign tumor.

Colorectal cancer can evolve until it spreads to other organs like lungs, bones and liver, building tumors over there too. Tumors take food and oxygen from the other healthy cells and in the end they take their space.

Scientists have declared that in US 1 of 17 people are at risk of developing colorectal cancer, and the most affected ones are men.

In the whole world, colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer in males and the fourth in women. It is quite rare in Asia and Africa but you can find it frequently in the Western world. Those who have adopted western diets are at risk to develop colorectal cancer.

Most of the colon cancers are adenocarcinomas, meaning that they come from polyps situated inside the intestines.

These polyps are benign at first but left untreated for several years they will end up transforming into malign polyps and cause cancer.

This adenomatous polyposis syndrome is found in the same family members, so it has a genetic base. There is a type of nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome which also occurs in the same family members but now people who are at risk can be identified through genetic screening.

By finding these cancer sensible people doctors can council them and program them for regular screening in order to prevent cancer from occurring.

People who suffer of Crohn disease or who have had breast or uterine cancer and a family history of colon cancer are at risk of developing colorectal cancer too.

Scientists have not found out exactly why this disease occurs but they believe that if you are obese and you follow a diet that is rich in proteins and fats and low in fiber you might develop cancer

Drinking alcohol is also a factor that leads to cancer.

Until now scientists believe that estrogen replacement therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer.

For greater resources on colon cancer or especially about metastatic colon cancer please visit this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com/metastatic-colon-cancer.htm

In order to see how to treat colorectal cancer doctors must first stage the cancer. This can be made after three systems: Dukes, Astler-Coller and AJC/TNM.

The classification of cancer after AJC/TNM is:

Stage 0: the cancerous tumor affects only the inner layer of the colon or the rectal lining. The indicated treatment is surgery, for removing tumors and polyps. No further treatment is necessary.

Stage I: the tumor has spread deeply in the inner line of the colon or rectum but has not broken through the colon wall yet. The recommended treatment is surgery with no other additional treatment after the surgery.

Stage II: the tumor has broken through the colon wall but has not spread to the lymph nodes yet. Surgery is indicated and chemotherapy or radiotherapy is needed in some cases.

Stage III: the lymph nodes are affected by the tumor. In colon cancer chemotherapy is needed after surgery; in rectum cancer chemotherapy or radiotherapy is made before or after the surgery.

Stage IV: the cancer has spread and affected other organs like lungs and liver. In this case chemotherapy and radiotherapy will be applied both in order to stop the rectum from being blocked. Sometimes surgery will be needed in order to remove the tumors from the other affected organs.

Surgery for colon cancer refers to removing the cancerous part of the colon and then reconnecting the two ends of the colon. Also, the nearby lymph nodes and a part of the normal tissue will be removed too. Some of the early stages of colon cancer can be resolved during colonoscopy. The patient will recover after a period of time that varies with age, general health and the cancer’s extension.

Surgery for rectal cancer will be made after chemotherapy and radiotherapy if the cancer is in an advanced stage.

If the cancer is caused by polyps they must be removed by a procedure called Polypectomy. A local excision can be made in other cases and will remove superficial cancers from the inner layer of rectum along with some health tissue from nearby. Frequently a low anterior resection can be made in order to treat colorectal cancers but the tumor must not be situated very close to the anal sphincter. Other solutions are the abdominoperineal resection and in the most desperate cases when other organs are involved the pelvic exenteration will be applied.

Going to regularly check-ups and seeing your doctor from the first symptoms of colorectal cancer you can treat cancer from its beginnings, avoid complications during drastic therapy and recover faster from the disease.

For greater resources on colon cancer or especially about stage3 colon cancer please visit this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com/stage3-colon-cancer.htm