Colon Cancer & Rectal problems Flashcards
What is the most common colon cancer [3]
Adenocarcinoma
Rectum + sigmoid
Other - HNPCC / FAP
Types of adenomas/polyps
Benign
Pre malignant
Tubular (75%)
Villous (10%)
What characteristics of polyps suggest high risk of malignancy [4]
Large (>2cm)
Numerous
High risk dysplasia
Villous architecture
Describe multi-step carcinogenesis in CRC [6]
> Normal cell undergoes mutation of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene > Hyperproliferation > early adenomas > k-ras mutation then DCC mutation > Becomes intermediate then late adenoma > Mutation of p53 gene > Carcinoma
What are the RF for colon cancer [6]
Age, Male Smoking, Alcohol Diet - low fibre, high red, processed meat Previous adenoma, Neoplastic polyps FH, Genetics - HNPCC / FAP IBD
Criteria for urgent referral [4]
Always:
>40y/o w/ unexplained weight loss AND abdo pain
>50y/o w/ rectal bleeding with no anal symptoms
>60y/o with iron deficiency anaemia or change in bowel habit
FOB
What do high risk features automatically get
Colonoscopy +- barium enema + biopsy
What do R sided (ascending) colon cancer normally present with
Occult bleeding > Anaemia
Weight loss
Vague pain
Weakness
Present later as lumen can get very tight before obstruction as more liquid
What does L sided (descending) colon cancer present with [6]
Which is more common L or R sided colon cancer?
Left sided colon cancer is more common
Obstruction / stricture / perforation Bleeding / mucous PR due to haemorrhage Altered bowel habit Weight loss / lethargy Tenesmus - need to evacuate PR mass
What are common symptoms in bowel cancer [7]
Persistent blood Persistent change in bowel habit Persistent lower abdominal pain Anaemia Loss of appetite Bloating Mass
What do you do if symptoms <6 weeks + <40yo
Watch and review
What other investigations for colon cancer
Bloods [4]
Imaging [2]
Staging investigations [4]
FBC - hypochromic microcytic anaemia
FOB/qFIT (before colonoscopy)
Urine dip - ?haematuria
To rule out: LFT, TFT, coeliac
Colonoscopy & biopsy
Virtual CT colonoscopy
Staging CT MRI if below peritoneal reflection Liver MRI / USS PET if single met but chance of cure
What are the stages of colon cancer?
[4]
Dukes classification & TNM combined: T1 A- limited to muscularis mucosa (MM) T2 B- extension through MM T3 C- LN T4 D- metastatic
How do you treat Dukes A [3]
Endoscopic resection
Remove node for analysis
DVT and Abx prophylaxis
How do you treat more advanced cancer [4]
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy - palliation mostly or for rectal ca
Surgery = only way to cure
NSAID - reduce polyps and prevent recurrence
Biologics
What are the complications of surgery [11]
GA issue Bleeding Sepsis Nerve or vessel damage DVT Wound hernia / dehiscence Obstruction, Post op ileus - give sugar before Anastomatic breakdown - day 4-5 Post-op fistula, stricture Adhesions High output stoma = volume deplete/ electrolyte imbalance
What is the screening programme for bowel cancer [4]
50-74
FOBT / qFIT every 2 years
If positive = colonoscopy
Recognises Hb
What is FAP
What is done as preventative measures to persons at risk? [2]
Autosomal dominant APC mutation
Annual colonoscopy from age 10
Prophylactic protocolectomy at 16
What do you get if you are HNPCC +Ve
2 year colonoscopy from 25
Endometrial / colon cancer / ovarian / pancreatic
What do you get if you have IBD
Colonoscopy 10 year post diagnosis
What is considered high risk FH
Colon cancer in 3 FDR
5 year colonoscopy at 55
What do you get if low risk
Single colonoscopy at 55
Where does colon cancer spread too [4]
Local
Lymphatic
Blood - liver, lung, bone
Transcoelomic
What factors play a role in whether anastomose or stoma [4]
Blood supply
Tissue tension
Sepsis
Unstable patient
Where is an ileostomy typically
R side
Where is a colostomy
L side
Flatter stump as not as acidic to skin - this tells you what it is rather than side
If need replaced will be on different sides
What are palliative options [3]
Chemo / RT
Diversion stoma
COlonic stenting
When would you do endoscopy / colonoscopy
Unexplained iron deficiency as risk of malignancy / bleeding / coeliac
What does pT3 mean in lab report
Pathology reports umour as stage T3
What does yP
After neoajuvant treatment
ANATOMY
SMA 2nd part of duodenum to 2/3 tranverse
IMA supplies the rest to superior rectum
Marginal artery supplies whole gut
SMA = L1
IMA = L3
What are the flexures of the colon
Hepatic
Splenic
What are the nodes of the colon
Same as arterial supply
Level of resection determined by nodes invollved
What is difference between end stoma or loop
End = irreversible
Loop is to defunction