What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer, or colon cancer, is an abnormal growth of the colon or rectum (bowel). The colon is the longest part of the colon, and the rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus.
Most cases of colorectal cancer begin as a polyp (a benign or benign growth on the lining of the colon or rectum) that develops into a malignancy.
Stages of Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer progresses from stage 0 to stage IV and may come back after treatment.
Stage 0: Early stage when the cancer is still in the inner lining of the colon or rectum. It is also known as carcinoma in situ.
Stage I: The cancer has grown through the inner lining but has not yet spread beyond the wall of the colon or rectum.
Stage II: The cancer has grown through the wall of the colon or rectum.
Stage III: The cancer has spread and invaded nearby lymph nodes.
Stage IV: The cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or ovaries.
Recurrent: Cancer has come back after treatment.
What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
The symptoms of colorectal cancer depend on the location of the cancer, how advanced it is, and how it has affected nearby organs and tissues.
Because the symptoms of colorectal cancer often do not appear until the cancer has advanced, it is important to have regular colorectal cancer screenings early. Also consult colorectal cancer surgeon in singapore
Signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include:
Change in stool pattern (diarrhea or constipation)
Feeling like your bowels haven't emptied completely
Persistent feeling of extreme tiredness.
Blood (bright or very dark red) in the stool
Finding that your stool is narrower than normal
Frequent pain or cramps of gas, feeling full or bloated
Weight loss for no known reason
What are the causes of colorectal cancer?
The exact cause of colorectal cancer is unknown, but there are some risk factors associated with the disease.
What are the risk factors for colorectal cancer?
This includes:
Advanced age. Most cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed after the age of 50.
Personal history of polyps. People who have had colorectal polyps in the past are at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Personal history of cancer. People who have had colorectal cancer in the past and women who have had ovarian, uterine or breast cancer are also at increased risk.
family history of colorectal cancer
Radiotherapy. People who have had radiation therapy to the stomach for previous cancer have a higher risk.
Inflammatory bowel disease. Chronic inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, can increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
What are the complications and comorbidities of colorectal cancer?
Complications and comorbidities of colorectal cancer include:
Obstruction of bowels. A blockage in the colon can occur when something interferes with the normal passage of intestinal contents through the digestive tract. If your digestive system shuts down, you may not be able to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
Metastatic cancer is one where cancer cells in the colon or rectum can sometimes spread to the liver, lungs, brain, peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen), or distant lymph nodes. Spread to other organs is called metastatic or stage IV colon surgeon in singapore. Treatment for stage IV colorectal cancer is primarily palliative, with best supportive care for survival of approximately 9 months.
How to prevent colorectal cancer?
While there is no sure way to completely prevent colorectal cancer but our colorectal cancer doctor in singapor is helping you, there are things you can do to reduce your risk.
Get regular checkups
Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains
Eat less red meat and processed meat
Exercise regularly
Maintain a healthy body weight
Avoid smoking
Limit your alcohol intake
