goodtoknow says: Every 15 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with bowel cancer, but the good news is it's very treatable. Bowel cancer (colorectal cancer or intestinal cancer) is largely a disease of old age, the average age of diagnosis is 70, although young people do get bowel cancer and it can be hereditary. Symptoms to look out for include a change in bowel habit, blood in your stools and abdominal pains, although these can also be symptoms of far less serious conditions. See your GP if you're worried.
For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of cancer of the bowel (colorectal cancer) from patient.co.uk, read on.
Colorectal cancer is common in the UK. Most cases occur in people over 50. If colorectal cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, there is a good chance of a cure. In general, the more advanced the cancer (the more it has grown and spread), the less chance that treatment will be curative. However, treatment can often slow the progress of the cancer. Some people at high risk are screened to detect colorectal cancer at an early stage.
Colorectal is a word which means 'the colon and rectum'. The colon and rectum are parts of the gut (gastrointestinal tract). The gut starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. When we eat or drink the food and liquid travel down the oesophagus (gullet) into the stomach. The stomach churns up the food and then passes it into the small intestine.
The small intestine (sometimes called the small bowel) is several metres long and is where food is digested and absorbed. Undigested food, water and waste products are then passed into the large intestine (sometimes called the large bowel). The main part of the large intestine is called the colon which is about 150 cm long. This is split into four sections, the ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon. Some water and salts are absorbed into the body from the colon. The colon leads into the rectum (back passage) which is about 15 cm long. The rectum stores faeces (stools) before they are passed out from the anus.
Cancer is a disease of the cells in the body. The body is made up from millions of tiny cells. There are many different types of cell in the body, and there are many different types of cancer which arise from different types of cell. What all types of cancer have in common is that the cancer cells are abnormal and multiply 'out of control'.
A malignant tumour is a 'lump' or 'growth' of tissue made up from cancer cells which continue to multiply. Malignant tumours invade into nearby tissues and organs which can cause damage.
Malignant tumours may also spread to other parts of the body. This happens if some cells break off from the first (primary) tumour and are carried in the bloodstream or lymph channels to other parts of the body. These small groups of cells may then multiply to form 'secondary' tumours (metastases) in one or more parts of the body. These secondary tumours may then grow, invade and damage nearby tissues, and spread again.
Some cancers are more serious than others, some are more easily treated than others (particularly if diagnosed at an early stage), some have a better outlook (prognosis) than others.
So, cancer is not just one condition. In each case it is important to know exactly what type of cancer has developed, how large it has become, and whether it has spread. This will enable you to get reliable information on treatment options and outlook.
Colorectal cancer is a cancer of the colon or rectum. It is sometimes called bowel cancer or cancer of the large intestine. It is one of the most common cancers in the UK. (In contrast, cancer of the small intestine is rare.) Colorectal cancer can affect any part of the colon or rectum, but most commonly first develops in the lower part of the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, or rectum.
In most cases, colorectal cancer develops from a polyp which has formed on the lining of the colon or rectum (see below). Sometimes colorectal cancer begins from a cell within the lining of the colon or rectum which becomes cancerous.
(Some rare types of cancer arise from various other cells in the wall of the colon or rectum. For example, carcinoid, lymphoma, and sarcomas.)
As the cancer cells multiply they form a tumour. The tumour invades deeper into the wall of colon or rectum. Some cells may break off into the lymph channels or bloodstream. The cancer may then spread (metastasise) to lymph nodes nearby or to other areas of the body, most commonly the liver and lungs.
A bowel polyp (adenoma) is a small growth that sometimes forms on the inside lining of the colon or rectum. Most bowel polyps develop in older people. About 1 in 4 people over the age of 50 develop at least one bowel polyp. Polyps are benign (non-cancerous) and usually cause no problems.
However, sometimes a benign polyp can turn cancerous. If one does turn cancerous, the change usually takes place after a number of years. Most colorectal cancers develop from a polyp that has been present for 5-15 years.
A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. In the case of colorectal cancer, it is a cell in a polyp which is the most common site for a cancerous cell to develop. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply 'out of control'.
Although colorectal cancer can develop for no apparent reason, there are certain 'risk factors' which increase the chance that colorectal cancer will develop. These include:
There is a reduced risk of developing colorectal cancer in:
When a colorectal cancer first develops and is small it usually causes no symptoms. As it grows, the symptoms that develop can vary, depending on the site of the tumour. The most common symptoms to first develop are:
As the tumour grows in the colon or rectum, symptoms may become worse and can include:
If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, various other symptoms can develop.
All the above symptoms can be due to other conditions, so tests are needed to confirm colorectal cancer.
If a doctor suspects that you may have colorectal cancer, he or she will examine you to look for signs such as a lump in your abdomen, anaemia, etc. The examination will usually include a rectal examination. This is where a doctor inserts a gloved finger through your anus into your rectum to feel if there is a tumour in the lower part of the rectum. However, often the examination is normal, especially if the cancer is in it's early stages. Therefore, one or more of the following tests may be arranged.
A biopsy is when a small sample of tissue is removed from a part of the body. The sample is then examined under the microscope to look for abnormal cells.
If you have a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, the doctor or nurse can take a biopsy of any abnormal tissue. This is done by passing a thin grabbing instrument down a side channel of the colonoscope or sigmoidoscope.
If you are confirmed to have colorectal cancer, further tests may be done to assess if it has spread. For example, a CT scan, an MRI scan, an ultrasound scan, or other tests. (There are separate leaflets which describe each of these tests in more detail.) This assessment is called 'staging' of the cancer. The aim of staging is to find out:
By finding out the stage of the cancer it helps doctors to advise on the best treatment options. It also gives a reasonable indication of outlook (prognosis). For colorectal cancer, it may not be possible to give an accurate staging until after an operation to remove the tumour.
A common staging system for colorectal cancer is called the Duke's classification. This is:
Other classification systems are sometimes used. For example, the TMN classification system is being increasingly used.
If a polyp is found during a colonoscopy (or sigmoidoscopy) it can often be easily removed. This is done by using special fine instruments which are passed down side channels of the colonoscope. When the polyp is removed it is then looked at under the microscope.
Treatment options that may be considered include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The treatment advised for each case depends on various factors such as the stage of the cancer (how large the cancer is and whether it has spread), and your general health.
You should have a full discussion with a specialist who knows your case. They will be able to give the pros and cons, likely success rate, possible side effects, and other details about the various possible treatment options for your type of cancer.
You should also discuss with your specialist the aims of treatment. For example:
It is often possible to surgically remove the primary tumour. Removing the tumour may be curative if the cancer is in an early stage. The common operation is to cut through the intestine above and below the tumour. The affected section is then removed and, if possible, the two cut ends of intestine are sewn together.
A colostomy is where an opening (hole) is made through the wall of the abdomen. A section of colon is then cut and the edges are attached to the opening in the abdominal wall. This is called a stoma and it allows faeces to pass out from the colon into a disposable bag which is stuck over the stoma.
Even if the cancer is advanced and a cure is not possible, surgery may still have a place to ease symptoms. For example, a stent can be inserted to ease a blocked colon. A stent is a thin metal tube which is placed through a narrowed or blocked section of colon. It can then be opened wide and remains in the colon to prevent a further blockage.
One or other of these treatments may be advised depending on the site and stage of the cancer.
When chemotherapy or radiotherapy are used in addition to surgery it is known as 'adjuvent chemotherapy' or 'adjuvent radiotherapy'. For example, following surgery you may be given a course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. This aims to kill any cancer cells which may have spread away from the primary tumour site. Sometimes, adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy is given before surgery to shrink a large tumour so that the operation to remove the tumour is easier for a surgeon to do, and is more likely to be successful.
Without treatment, a colorectal cancer is likely get larger, and spread to other parts of the body. However, in many cases it grows slowly and may remain confined to the lining of the colon or rectum for some months before growing through the wall of the colon or rectum, or spreading. You have a good chance of a cure if if you are diagnosed and treated when the cancer is in an early stage.
If the cancer is diagnosed when it has grown through the wall of the colon or rectum, or spread to other parts of the body, there is less chance of a cure. However, treatment can often slow down the progression of the cancer.
The treatment of cancer is a developing area of medicine. New treatments continue to be developed and the information on outlook above is very general. The specialist who knows your case can give more accurate information about your particular outlook, and how well your type and stage of cancer is likely to respond to treatment.
A screening test aims to detect a disease before it has caused symptoms and when treatment is likely to be curative. Potential screening tests for colorectal cancer include a faecal occult blood test, a colonoscopy, or a sigmoidoscopy. Newer tests such as a DNA test of cells in faeces are being developed. The test used, and how often it should be done, depends on various factors. Whatever test is used, the aim is to detect bowel polyps or early cancer in 'high risk' people because:
People who may be offered routine screening for colorectal cancer include:
Bowel Cancer UK
7 Rickett Street, London, SW6 1RU
Tel: 08708 50 60 50 (Bowel Cancer Advisory Service) Web: www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk
Bowel Cancer UK, formerly known as Colon Cancer Concern is dedicated to raising awareness, improving the quality of life of those affected and ultimately, reducing deaths from bowel cancer.
CancerBACUP
3 Bath Place, Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3JR
Tel: 0808 800 1234 Web: www.cancerbacup.org.uk
Provides information and support to anyone affected by cancer.
Cancer Research UK
Their website www.cancerhelp.org.uk provides facts about cancer including treatment choices.
NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme
Web: www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/bowel/
Other support groups See Cancer Support Groups for a list of self help and support groups for cancer patients.
© EMIS and PIP 2006 Updated: February 2006