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Colo-Rectal Cancer
Medical Questions » Colo-Rectal Cancer
| Name: Colo-Rectal Cancer |
| Also known as: Large Bowel Cancer |
| Cancer of the large bowel, which forms the last two meters of the intestine. |
Causes of Colo-Rectal Cancer
Absolute cause is unknown, but a low fiber diet may be a factor and there is a family tendency. More common in men, and most develop in the last 10cm of the gut. |
Symptoms of Colo-Rectal Cancer
Alteration in normal bowel habits, passing blood with the faces, weight loss, colicky pains in the abdomen and constant tiredness. A large cancer can be felt as a hard lump in the abdomen. |
Tests for Colo-Rectal Cancer
A colonoscopy and/or barium enema X-ray will confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests may show anemia due to the constant slow leaking of blood from the cancer. People with a bad family history can have a faeces sample tested for blood. A positive test is an indication to investigate further. |
Treatment for Colo-Rectal Cancer
Major surgery to remove the cancer, the bowel for some distance above and below the cancer, and the surrounding lymph nodes. Regular examinations of the colon are required lifelong to detect any recurrence.
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Complications of Colo-Rectal Cancer of its treatment
Gut obstruction or perforation which allows faeces to leak into the abdomen, and causes peritonitis (see separate entry). Up to 3% of patients may die during or immediately after surgery. |
Likely Outcome of Colo-Rectal Cancer
If cancer has not spread away from the large intestine, two out of three patients will survive for five years. If the cancer has spread, the survival rate drops steadily, depending on the degree of spread. |
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