Description of colon cancer
Рак толстой кишки – рост раковых клеток толстой кишке.
Cancer occurs, when the body's cells start to randomly share. The result is a build-up (weight) of cloth, called a growth or tumor. The term cancer refers to malignant tumors, that can invade nearby tissues and spread to other parts of the body.
The causes of colon cancer
The causes of colon cancer are unknown.
Risk factors for colorectal cancer
Studies show, that there are certain risk factors, Related Disease:
- Age: senior 50 years;
- A diet high in fat, low in fiber;
- Polyps (benign) in the colon and rectum;
- Hereditary diseases, such as family polyposis or Lynch syndrome;
- The presence of colorectal cancer in the past;
- Family history of cancer of the colon or rectum, especially parents, brother, sister or child;
- Nespetsificheskiy yazvennыy colitis (inflammation of the mucosa of the colon) or Crohn's disease;
- Other risk factors include:
- Obesity;
- A high body mass index (BMI);
- Lack of physical activity;
- Diabetes;
- Smoking;
- Alcohol abuse;
- A diet high in red meat and low in fish.
Symptoms of colon cancer
Colon cancer is often asymptomatic. Some of the symptoms, Associated:
- Changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation or incomplete bowel movements) lasting more than a few days in people aged 50 and older;
- Blood (bright red or very dark color) stools;
- Abdominal discomfort (gas, pain, abdominal distention);
- Unexplained weight loss;
- Feeling very tired.
These symptoms can also be caused by less serious conditions. Consult your doctor, if you have any of these symptoms.
Diagnosis of colorectal cancer
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination.
Screening of cancer or premalignant polyps includes:
- Пальцевый ректальный осмотр – врач вводит палец в перчатке в анус для поиска опухолей или наростов в прямой кишке;
- Тест на скрытую кровь – тест для проверки наличия скрытой крови в кале;
- Колоноскопия – обследование прямой и толстой кишки с помощью трубки с источником света на конце, which is called a colonoscope;
- Ректороманоскопия – исследование нижней части толстой кишки с помощью трубки с источником света на конце, It called sigmoidoscope;
- Бариевая клизма – введение бария через анус в толстую и прямую кишку для выполнения рентгена и получения снимков нижних отделов кишечника;
- КТ колонография – рентгеновский тест, which will examine the large intestine.
Additional tests, which can confirm the presence of cancer, determine its stage and distribution:
- Биопсия – удаление небольшого количества ткани для проверки на рак;
- Полипэктомия – удаление полипа во время ректороманоскопии или колоноскопии;
- Blood tests, to find in the blood of anemia and cancer markers;
- Компьютерная томография – тип рентгена, which uses computer, to take pictures of inside the body and determine the spread of the tumor;
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) – определение функциональной активности тканей; shows, whether the disease has spread beyond the pelvis;
- Трансректальное УЗИ – для выполнения УЗИ ультразвуковой датчик вводится в прямую кишку.
Treatment of colon cancer
Treatment will depend on the stage of the cancer, the degree of proliferation and overall health.
Surgery for colon cancer
The main treatment for colon cancer is surgery. The tumor and surrounding tissue of the colon is removed. It may also be removed nearby lymph nodes. The operation using the following methods:
- Лапароскопия – для удаления рака на ранней стадии;
- Открытая операция – используется для удаления крупных опухолей, healthy tissue, and, perhaps, neighboring lymph nodes.
Sometimes it should be removed straight or healthy tissue of the colon. Эта процедура называется колэктомия. Healthy tissue is removed in case, if there is a risk of further spread of cancer. The remaining healthy part of the colon and rectum are sewn. Sometimes the end of a healthy colon is temporarily or permanently is expelled as a colostomy.
Radiation therapy in colon cancer
Radiation is used, to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It is directed at the tumor from a source outside the body. The procedure is used alone or in combination with chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy for colon cancer
Химиотерапия – использование лекарственных препаратов для уничтожения раковых клеток. Preparations for the chemotherapy may be given in various forms: tablets, injection, the introduction of a catheter. The drugs enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, killing mostly cancer, and also some healthy cells.
Prevention of colon cancer
Screening for colon cancer
In most cases, the causes of colon cancer is unknown. Many cases of cancer of the colon and rectum can be prevented by finding and removing polyps, which may cause cancer. Since the age of 50, men and women at average risk of developing cancer of the colon and rectum must fulfill one of the five screening options:
- Ежегодно – анализ кала на скрытую кровь или фекальный иммунохимический тест;
- Колоноскопия – каждые 10 years;
- Гибкая ректороманоскопия – каждые пять лет;
- Barium enema (X-rays of the colon and rectum) – каждые пять лет;
- КТ колонография – каждые пять лет.
Individuals with any of the risk factors below should perform screening of colorectal cancer at an early stage (aged 40 years) and / or be screened more often:
- Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps;
- A family history of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes;
- The history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps;
- History of chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
Lifestyle changes
Lifestyle changes, which can reduce the risk of colon cancer:
- Quit smoking;
- Be physically active;
- Reduce your intake of alcohol;
- Maintain a healthy weight;
- Eat a healthy diet (eg, Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, fiber and low in red meat).