What is colorectal cancer?
The term colorectal cancer is used for cancer of colon, rectum or both. When cancer begins in the colon, it is called Colon Cancer and when it starts developing in the rectum, it is termed as Rectal Cancer. Colorectal cancer occurs when some cells that line the colon or rectum begin to grow abnormally and uncontrollably to form a cancerous tumor.
Colorectal cancer begins with the development of benign i.e. non-cancerous cells called adenomatous polyps some of which may become cancerous and cause colorectal cancer.
The possibility of polyps becoming cancerous depends on the type of polyps such as:
- Adenomatous polyps i.e. adenomas – is a pre-cancerous condition of colorectal cancer.
- Hyperplastic polyps
- Inflammatory polyps
Both Hyperplastic and Inflammatory polyps are more common but are not pre-cancerous.
Majority of the colorectal cancers are Adenocarcinomas the other rare forms of colorectal cancers are:
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (Gists)begin from specialized interstitial cells of Cajal in the walls of the colon
- Carcinoid Tumors -begin from the specialized hormone-making cells in the intestine.
- Sarcomas – Although very rare, start in the blood vessels, muscle layers or other connective tissues in the wall of the colon and rectum.
- Lymphomas are cancers of the immune system cells
What are the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer may not present any symptoms in the early stages. However, patients of colorectal cancer may experience symptoms like:
- changes in bowel habits
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Feeling that the bowel does not empty properly after a bowel movement
- Blood in feces that makes stools look black
- Bright red blood coming from the rectum
- Cramps, Pain and bloating in the abdomen
- Feeling of fullness in the abdomen, even after not eating for a while.
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Lump in the abdomen or the back passage
- Unexplained iron deficiency in men or in women after menopause
How is Colorectal Cancer Treated?
Treatment for colorectal cancer depends on the stage of colorectal cancer. However, treatment options are:
- Surgery – to remove the tumor, some surrounding healthy tissue, and nearby lymph nodes during a surgical procedure that is often called surgical resection.
- Chemotherapy – by using drugs to destroy cancer cells, usually by ending the cancer cells’ ability to grow and divide.
- Radiation Therapy - uses high energy radiation beams to destroy the cancer cells and to prevent them from multiplying.
It is used before surgery in an attempt to shrink the tumor.
In many cases of colorectal cancer, both radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be given after surgery to help lower the chances of recurrence.
- Ablation Therapy – to destroy a tumor without removing it by using radiofrequency, ethanol, or cryosurgery which are delivered using a probe or needle that is guided by ultrasound or CT scanning technology.
- Medication - for Systemic therapy using medicines for Target Therapy Immunotherapy
- Palliative care - is recommended for any person who has advanced colon cancer or who has significant symptoms. It helps improve the quality of life of the patient by improving symptoms, reducing anxiety and preventing admissions to the hospital
Most Efficient Colorectal Surgery
Dr. Harsh Shah at Gastro Clinix at Ahmadabad is one of the most promising and skilled gastro, liver & pancreatic surgeons of India.
Dr. Harsh Shah is a highly qualified gastro-intestinal surgeon who is MS (Surgery, Delhi). FMAS, FALS, DNB (Gastro Surgery) and MCh (Gastro Surgery, Delhi).
With an experience of about a decade, Dr. Harsh Shah has the distinction of performing the most complex gastro intestinal surgeries in India.
Besides several gastro intestinal surgeries, he also specializes in cancer surgery including colorectal cancer surgery. By virtue of his exceptional Laparoscopic Skills, he is considered an authority on Laparoscopic Liver Resections.
Besides being an efficient surgeon, he has co-authored several books on Gastroenterology and he has many national and international publications to his credit.
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