Like many types of cancer, colorectal cancer occurs in different forms. We will tell you here what these are, what causes are responsible for the cancer and what preventive and treatment methods are available.
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The three types of colon cancer
The term colorectal cancer can stand for three types of cancer:
– colon cancer (colon carcinoma)
– Rectal cancer (rectal carcinoma)
– Small intestine cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer . Like gastric cancer , the disease usually occurs after the age of 50. The average age at the time of the disease is 69 for men and 75 for women. Approximately 95 percent of all colorectal cancers are colon cancer , so small bowel cancer and rectal tumors are extremely rare. All types of colorectal cancer belong to the ‘solid tumors’, which have a fixed site of onset of the disease. Metastasis is not uncommon here either. Colorectal cancer originates from defective glandular cells in the intestinal mucosa.
As with gastric cancer, there is also the variant of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in colorectal cancer, which have nothing to do with the mucous membrane but are formed from the connective tissue. We also encounter here the NET or neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, which arise from malformations under the hormone cells. Finally, MALT lymphoma must be mentioned because it can also occur in the intestinal wall and is a disease of the lymphatic tissue. Carcinomas in the outer anus are not counted as colorectal cancer.
Possible signs of colon cancer
Colorectal cancer is a very slow process. However, you should be alert if you notice blood in your stool, which makes it red or black in color. Equally uncommon is the discharge of some blood, feces, or mucus with gas. Whenever the stool is very different from the usual picture, such as thin excrement or a sudden change between diarrhea and constipation, the question of why arises.
Do you suffer from recurring, cramping abdominal pain that lasts for more than a week? Is there a noticeably strong background noise in the intestines and exaggerated flatulence that you do not otherwise know? Does the toilet need to be visited too often and the faeces have a strong, unpleasant smell? Do you also suffer from constant exhaustion, pallor, poor performance and lose weight continuously for no specific reason? Can you feel hardenings in the abdomen ? Are the lymph nodes enlarged? All of these signs can also be symptomatic of other intestinal diseases, but should always be examined by a doctor.
Early detection of colon cancer
Special examinations such as a colonoscopy can detect possible preliminary stages of colon cancer at an early stage. These preliminary stages can be seen as small growths or polyps in the intestinal mucosa, from which the dangerous disease can, but does not have to, develop.
development of colon cancer
Cancer develops when these clusters of cells mutate and evade the body’s control. So they proliferate unchecked and also settle in the surrounding tissue. The older we get, the harder it is for our body to fight these cells and prevent such cell growth. Therefore, as we age, our risk of developing cancer also increases. In addition, genetic factors, hereditary predispositions and individual lifestyle are also decisive for our personal cancer risk.
Metastases from colorectal cancer occur in more than 50% of cases in the liver, less often in the lungs, and the risk to the peritoneum, bones, ovaries, kidneys, brain or other organs is even lower.
Prevention of colon cancer
You can do a number of things to keep the risk of colon cancer low: Lifestyle should be active, with lots of exercise . The normal weight should be maintained as far as possible and smoking should be avoided.
treatment of colon cancer
Colonoscopy, as recommended and recognized by health insurers for everyone over the age of 55 as a measure for early detection , is still the best method of diagnosing cancer at the earliest possible stage. The closer the surgical intervention becomes necessary because of a rectal carcinoma at the bowel outlet, the more difficult it becomes to be able to preserve the sphincter. It is important in many respects to find out the exact location of the carcinoma, which is not so easy when the intestine is several meters long. The large intestine alone is one and a half meters long, the small intestine much longer.
Medicine uses surgeries , chemotherapy , radiation and targeted drugs to treat colorectal cancer and increase the chances of recovery and survival for those affected. Drug treatment is intended to affect the growth processes and divisions of cancer cells. The aim is to interrupt the metabolic processes of tumor cells and make the body’s own immune system aware of the malignant cells and encourage them to fight them. The difficulty of such drugs lies in managing the differentiation from healthy cells so that they do not indiscriminately damage every cell.
Which of the remedies is used depends on the recognized stage of the disease ; therapies can be used before an operation as preparation or afterwards. Even if the colorectal cancer is at an advanced stage and considered incurable, tumor growth can still be delayed with therapy. Chemotherapy works throughout the body, not just at the site of cancer. If the tumor threatens to obstruct the intestine, an artificial anus can be placed if the affected passage cannot be uncovered. Before that, however, the surgical team would try a bypass. Only surgical removal of colon cancer can bring about a cure. If no new growth is found three years after the operation, the patient is considered cured.
Prevention through healthy eating
Red meat and alcohol should be consumed in moderation; Poultry meat, on the other hand, is safe in moderation. It is also better for the intestines if the diet is high in fiber , i.e. made up of whole grain cereal products and legumes. Vegetables also provide additional health benefits up to a quantity of 500 grams per day. Coffee (3 to 4 cups) and tea are safe.
