Colonic Cancer

Question 1

What are the red flag symptoms with change of bowel habit?

Answer 1

rectal bleeding, anaemia, wieght loss, acute onset, FHx of cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, sign of infection

Question 2

What staging systems are used for colon cancer?

Answer 2

Dukes + TNM

Question 3

How far can a rigid sigmoidoscopy go?

Answer 3

20cm

Question 4

What are the stages in Dukes?

Answer 4

Stage A: Limited to mucosa
Stage B1: Extending into muscularis propria but not penetrating through it; nodes not involved
Stage B2: Penetrating through muscularis propria; nodes not involved
Stage C1: Extending into muscularis propria but not penetrating through it. Nodes involved
Stage C2: Penetrating through muscularis propria. Nodes involved
Stage D: Distant metastatic spread

Question 5

What operations are available for colon cancer and when are they used?

Answer 5

R hemicolectoy - right sided tumour / emergency
L hemicolectomy - left sided tumour
Hartmanns - emergency on left
Abdomino-perineal resection - Rectal tumour
anterior resection - rectal tumour