Cancer of the bowel, also called colorectal cancer, is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the colon (large intestine) or the end of the rectum. Adenocarcinomas are the most common type of colorectal cancer, accounting for 95 percent of all cases.
They usually start in cells of the lining of the colon or rectum, and they can spread to other parts of the body, especially nearby lymph nodes. They can also affect the ovaries and tissue that lines the abdomen, called peritoneum.
Symptoms vary with the stage of the disease, but many people have a change in their stools and stomach pain. They may also experience a bloody stool, unexplained weight loss, and an increase in the number of red blood cells or white blood cells in their blood.
The diagnosis of colorectal cancer is made with a series of tests that include a physical examination, blood work, imaging scans and a biopsy. These tests can identify cancer that is in the early stages, before it becomes bigger and more difficult to treat.
Treatment Options
Surgery is the main treatment for a person with colorectal cancer that is limited to the colon. It is used to remove tumors and any nearby lymph nodes. It is often followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy to shrink the cancer and destroy any remaining cancer cells.
Targeted therapies are drugs that target specific molecules in cancer cells. These molecules can help the drug disable them so they cannot spread.
A targeted therapy may be given as a pill or injected into a vein. These medications are sometimes combined with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Immunotherapy is a drug that stimulates your immune system to attack and kill cancer cells. It can also be given to prevent the growth of new cancer cells.
X-rays, such as CT or MRI scans, can also be used to check whether the cancer has spread outside the colon. These scans can show if the cancer has reached other parts of your body, such as the liver or the lungs.
They are also used to determine how aggressive the cancer is. For example, if cancer has spread to the lungs, the doctor might use more intensive radiation therapy or more aggressive chemotherapy to try to shrink or destroy the cancer cells.
The results of these tests can be compared with a person’s symptoms to make a diagnosis. A positive test result suggests that the cancer is more likely to be aggressive and to spread outside of the colon.
For this reason, it is important to discuss treatment options with a physician who has extensive experience in treating this type of cancer. Some doctors recommend clinical trials, which may involve a small group of patients and a longer treatment time frame than standard care.
A diagnosis of metastatic colorectal cancer is very stressful and can be hard to deal with. It can be a shock to the system, and it is important to seek support from people who have experienced this disease.
