Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine). It typically starts as a benign tumour, often in the form of a polyp, which over time becomes cancerous. Cause of colorectal cancer It is due to the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body.
Signs and symptoms of colon cancer may include blood in the stool, a change in bowel movements, weight loss, and feeling tired all the time.
Causes of colorectal cancers are due to:
Treatment of Colonic Cancer
Surgery in Colorectal Cancer
If the cancer is found at a very early stage, it may be removed during a colonoscopy. For people with localized cancer, the preferred treatment is complete surgical removal with adequate margins, with the attempt of achieving a cure. This can either be done by an open laparotomy or sometimes laparoscopically. The colon may then be reconnected or a person may have a colostomy.
Chemotherapy in Colorectal Cancer
In both cancer of the colon and rectum, chemotherapy may be used in addition to surgery in certain cases. The decision to add chemotherapy in management of colon and rectal cancer depends on the stage of the disease.
Radiation therapy
While a combination of radiation and chemotherapy may be useful for rectal cancer, its use in colon cancer is not routine due to the sensitivity of the bowels to radiation. Just as for chemotherapy, radiotherapy can be used in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant setting for some stages of rectal cancer.