Colon and Rectum Flashcards
What are the white lines of Toldt?
Lateral peritoneal reflections of the ascending and descending colon
What parts of the GI tract do not have a serosa?
Esophagus, middle and distal rectum
What are the major anatomic differences between the colon and the small bowel?
Colon has taeniae coli, haustra, and appendices epiploicae (fat appendages), whereas the small intestine is smooth
What is the blood supply to the proximal rectum?
Superior hemorrhoidal (or superior rectal) from the IMA
What is the blood supply to the middle rectum?
Middle hemorrhoidal (or middle rectal) from the hypogastric (internal iliac)
What is the blood supply to the distal rectum?
Inferior hemorrhoidal (or inferior rectal) from the pudendal artery (a branch of the hypogastric)
What is the venous drainage of the proximal rectum?
IMV to the splenic vein, then to the portal vein
What is the venous drainage of the middle rectum?
Iliac vein to the IVC
What is the venous drainage of the distal rectum?
Iliac vein to the IVC
What is colorectal carcinoma?
Adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum
What is the incidence of colorectal carcinoma?
Most common GI cancer, second most common cancer in US
How common is colorectal carcinoma as a cause of cancer deaths?
Second most common cause of cancer deaths
What is the lifetime risk of colorectal carcinoma?
6%
What is the male:female ratio for colorectal carcinoma?
1:1
What are the risk factors for colorectal carcinoma?
Dietary (e.g. low-fiber, high-fat)
Genetic (e.g. FAP, Lynch’s syndrome)
IBD (e.g. UC > Crohn’s)
What is Lynch’s syndrome?
HNPCC = Hereditary NonPolyposis Colon Cancer.
AD inheritance of high risk for development of colon cancer.
What are current ACS recommendations for polyp/colorectal screening in asymptomatic patients without family history of colorectal cancer?
Starting at age 50, 1 of the following:
- Colonoscopy q10y
- Double contrast barium enema q5y
- Flex sigmoidoscopy q5y
- CT colonography q5y
What are the common recommendations for colorectal cancer screening if there is a history of colorectal cancer in a first-degree relative less than 60 years?
Colonoscopy at age 40, or 10 years before age at diagnosis of the youngest first-degree relative, and every 5 years thereafter
What percentage of adults will have a guaiac-positive stool test?
2%
What percentage of patients with a guaiac-positive stool test will have colon cancer?
10%
What signs and symptoms are associated with right-sided colon cancer?
May attain large size before presentation (as right side of bowel has a large luminal diameter).
Microcytic anemia, melena > hematochezia, postprandial discomfort, fatigue
What signs and symptoms are associated with left-sided colon cancer?
Change in bowel habits (small-caliber stools), colicky pain, signs of obstruction, abdominal mass, heme-positive or gross red blood, N/V, constipation
From which site of colon cancer is melena more common?
Right-sided colon cancer
From which site of colon cancer is hematochezia more common?
Left-sided colon cancer
What are the signs and symptoms of rectal cancer?
Most common symptom is hematochezia or mucus.
Tenesmus, feeling of incomplete evacuation of stool, rectal mass.
What is the incidence of rectal cancer?
Comprises 20-30% of all colorectal cancers
What is the differential diagnosis of a colon tumor or mass?
Adenocarcinoma, carcinoid tumor, lipoma, liposarcoma, leiomyoma, leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma, diverticular disease, UC, Crohn’s disease, polyps
Which diagnostic tests are helpful for colorectal cancer?
H&P; heme occult; CBC; barium enema; colonoscopy
What disease does microcytic anemia signify until proven otherwise in a man or postmenopausal woman?
Colon cancer
What tests help find colorectal cancer metastases?
CXR (lung); LFTs (live); abdominal CT (liver)
What is the preoperative workup for colorectal cancer?
H&P, LFTs, CEA, CBC, Chem 10, PT/PTT, T&C, CXR, UA, abdominopelvic CT
What are the means by which colorectal cancer spreads?
Direct extension (circumferentially and then through bowel wall to later invade other abdominoperineal organs);
Hematogenous (portal circulation to liver, lumbar/vertebral veins to lungs);
Lymphogenous (regional lymph nodes);
Transperitoneal;
Intraluminal
Is CEA useful in colorectal cancer?
Not for screening but for baseline and recurrence surveillance (but offers no proven survival benefit)
What unique diagnostic test is helpful in patients with rectal cancer?
Endorectal U/S
How are colorectal tumors staged?
TMN staging system
What is stage I colorectal cancer?
Invades submucosa or muscularis propria
What is stage II colorectal cancer?
Invades through muscularis propria or surrounding structures but with negative nodes
What is stage III colorectal cancer?
Positive nodes, no distant metastasis
What is stage IV colorectal cancer?
Positive distant metastasis
What is the approximate 5-year survival for colorectal cancer by stage?
I: 90%, II: 70%, III: 50%, IV: 10%
What percentage of patients with colorectal cancer have liver metastases on diagnosis?
20%
What is the preoperative bowel prep for colorectal cancer?
- Golytely colonic lavage or Fleets Phospho-Soda until clear effluent per rectum
- PO antibiotics (1 gm neomycin and 1 gm erythromycin, 3 doses)
What are the common preoperative IV antibiotics in colorectal cancer?
Cefoxitin, Unasyn
If the patient is allergic (hives, swelling), what antibiotics should be prescribed before surgery for colorectal cancer?
IV Cipro and Flagyl
What are the treatment options for colorectal cancer?
Resection (wide surgical resection of lesion and its regional lymphatic drainage)
What decides low anterior resection vs. abdominal perineal resection for colorectal cancer?
Distance from the anal verge and pelvis size
What do all rectal cancer operations include?
Total mesorectal excision (remove the rectal mesentery, including the lymph nodes)
What is the lowest LAR possible?
Coloanal anastomosis (anastomosis normal colon directly to anus)
What do some surgeons do with any anastomosis
Temporary ileostomy to protect the anastomosis
What surgical margins are needed for colon cancer?
Traditionally > 5 cm (margins must be at least 2 cm)
What is the minimal surgical margin for rectal cancer?
2 cm
How many lymph nodes should be resected with a colon cancer mass?
12 LN minimum
What is the adjuvant treatment of stage III colon cancer?
5-FU and leucovorin (or levamisole) chemotherapy
What is the adjuvant treatment for T3-4 rectal cancer?
Preoperative radiation therapy and 5-FU chemotherapy as a radiosensitizer
What is the most common site of distant (hematogenous) metastasis from colorectal cancer?
Liver
What is the treatment of liver metastases from colorectal cancer?
Resect with > 1 cm margins and administer chemotherapy if feasible
What is the surveillance regimen for colorectal cancer?
PE; stool guaiac; CBC; CEA; LFTs (q3m for 3 years, then q6m for 2 years); CXR (q6m for 2 years, then yearly); colonoscopy (at year 1 and 3); CT
Why is followup so important the first 3 years postoperative for colorectal cancer?
90% of colorectal recurrences are within 3 years of surgery
What are the most common cause of colonic obstruction in the adult population?
Colon cancer, diverticular disease, colonic volvulus
What is the 5-year survival rate after liver resection with clean margins for colon cancer liver metastasis?
33%