Colorectal Cancer and Polyps
Cancer of the colon and the rectum (also called colorectal cancer or large bowel cancer) affects approximately 130,000 Americans and causes more than 45,000 deaths annually. Colorectal cancer is the second most common form of cancer in the United States and affects men and women equally. The cause of colon cancer is not entirely understood, but it appears that both hereditary and environmental factors play a role in its development. These cancers develop in the lining of the large intestine. Tumors may also develop in the lining of the very last part of the colon, called the rectum.
It is clear that colorectal cancer can often be prevented through regular examinations to detect polyps, benign (non-cancerous) growths of the intestine lining that may develop into cancer. If polyps are found, they can be removed without surgery so they will never develop into cancer. And, if colorectal cancer is diagnosed in its early stages, the latest medical and surgical treatments offer a good chance for a cure.
The Digestive Disease Center at Saint Joseph’s Hospital supports colon cancer prevention through patient screening, education, detection, and treatment.
Colorectal Cancer
The colon, also called the large bowel or large intestine, is the last section of the digestive tract. It is five to six feet long, the last eight to ten inches of which is called the rectum. After food is digested in the stomach and nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine, solid wastes from this process move into the colon, where they remain usually for a day or two until they are passed out of the body.
Sometimes the body’s cells fail to grow, divide and reproduce in a healthy, orderly way, thus producing too much tissue and forming a tumor. These tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) and can spread to other parts of the body.
Causes
Clorectal cancer starts with polyps, or growths of the colon lining. Not all polyps become colon cancer. Polyps known as adenomas are the precursors of colorectal cancer. The risk factors for adenoma and cancer development are not all identified. High fat, low fiber diets, increasing age and gene abnormalities are the best known risk factors.
Every one of us is at risk for colorectal cancer. The majority of people who develop colorectal cancer have no known risk factors. However, chronic inflammatory conditions of the colon (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease), a family or personal history of colorectal cancer, or adenomatous polyps or hereditary polyp syndromes are all associated with an increased risk.
Symptoms
Most people with colorectal cancer have NO symptoms! For this reason, it is very important to have regular colorectal cancer screening examinations. Changes in normal bowel habits, unexplained anemia (low blood count), weight loss, blood in the stool (occult or obvious), or abdominal pain are all possible cancer symptoms and should be discussed with your doctor. However, most people with polyps and cancer have NO symptoms whatsoever!
Treatment
Colorectal cancer requires surgery in nearly all cases for a complete cure. Radiation and chemotherapy are sometimes used in addition to surgery. Between 80-90 percnt are restored to normal health if the cancer is detected and treated in the earliest stages. The cure rate drops to 50 percent or less when diagnosed in the later stages. Thanks to modern technology, less than 5 percent of all colorectal cancer patients require a colostomy, the surgical construction of an artificial excretory opening from the colon.
Prevention
There are steps that reduce the risk of developing the disease. One way is having benign polyps removed by an outpatient procedure called colonoscopy. In addition to removing the polyps, the long flexible tubular instrument used in the procedure provides a more thorough bowel examination.
Though not proven, there is some evidence that diet may play a significant role in preventing colorectal cancer. As far as we know, a high fiber, low fat diet is the only dietary measure that might help prevent colorectal cancer.
Finally, changes in bowel habits may indicate a problem. Bowel examinations should be included in routine physicals if a person falls into the "high risk" category.
Although hemorrhoids cannot lead to colon cancer, they may produce symptoms similar to colon polyps or cancer. If symptoms occur, the person should be examined and evaluated by a physician, preferably by a colon and rectal surgeon.
More Information/Referrals
For more information about our Program, or to make a referral, please call (678) 843-5533.
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