Bowel cancer Flashcards
Which inherited conditions can increase the risk of bowel cancer?
- FAP (Familial adenomatous polyposis)
- HNPCC (Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer), AKA Lynch syndrome
Which chronic bowel conditions can increase the risk of bowel cancer?
Crohn’s and UC (IBD)
What should you always ask about when taking a history in suspected bowel cancer?
Family history
What are the “red flag” symptoms of bowel cancer?
- Change on bowel habit
- Blood in stool
- Unexplained weight loss
Which blood result should make you suspect bowel cancer?
IDA
What is the name of the test used to check for microscopic blood in the stool?
FIT (faecal immunochemical test)
The FIT is used for the national bowel cancer screening programme. Between what ages are people screened for bowel cancer? And how often?
60-74 years (every 2 years)
Which tumour marker is relevant to bowel cancer?
CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen)
What is the gold standard investigation for suspected bowel cancer?
Colonoscopy
What is meant by a right hemicolectomy?
Removal of:
- Caecum
- Ascending colon
- Proximal transverse colon
What is meant by a left hemicolectomy?
Removal of:
- Distal transverse colon
- Descending colon
What is meant by a high anterior resection?
Removal of:
- Sigmoid colon
What is meant by a low anterior resection?
Removal of:
- Sigmoid colon
- Rectum
What is meant by an abdomino-perineal resection (APR)?
Removal of:
- Rectum
- Anus
Hartmann’s procedure is an emergency surgery involving removal of… and formation of…
Common indications are…
Removal of:
- Sigmoid colon
- Rectum
Creation of:
- Colostomy
Indications:
- Significant diverticular disease
- Obstruction (e.g. by a tumour)
