Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Y4 Cancer Care > Colorectal Cancer > Flashcards

Colorectal Cancer Flashcards

1
Q

What are most colorectal cancers?

A

Adenocarcinomas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Where do colorectal cancers originate from?

A

Epithelial cells lining colon / rectum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the pathophysiology sequence of colorectal cancer called?

A

Adenoma-carcinoma sequence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the adenoma-carcinoma sequence for colorectal cancer? (3 steps)

A
  1. Normal mucosa
  2. Colonic adenoma (colorectal polyps)
  3. Invasive adenocarcinoma
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the genetic mutations causing colorectal cancer? (2 things)

A
  1. Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC)
  2. Hereditary NonPolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) gene responsible for?

What happens when it is mutated?

A

APC gene = tumour suppressor gene

Mutation –> adenomatous tissue growth (e.g FAP aka Familial Adenomatous Polyposis)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the Hereditary NonPolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) gene responsible for?

What happens when it is mutated?

A

HNPCC gene = DNA mismatch repair gene

Mutation –> DNA repair defects (e.g Lynch syndrome)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What percentage of colorectal cancers are sporadic (develop with no risk factors)?

A

75%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the risk factors for colorectal cancer? (7 things)

A
  1. Male
  2. Age
  3. FHx
  4. IBD
  5. Low fibre diet
  6. Smoking
  7. Alcohol
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the clinical features of LEFT sided colorectal cancers? (4 things)

A
  1. Bleeding / mucus @ PR
  2. Change in bowel habits / obst
  3. Tenesmus
  4. Palpable LIF mass @ PR
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the clinical features of RIGHT sided colorectal cancers? (4 things)

A
  1. Weight loss
  2. Abd pain
  3. Low Hb
  4. Iron deficiency anaemia symptoms
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Why does impeded stool passage happen more in LEFT colon cancer than RIGHT? (3 things)

A
  1. R = stool still liquid (@ ileocecal valve –> asc colon)
  2. R = lumen is larger
  3. L = stool becomes formed here (@transverse colon - desc colon)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are some differentials that present similarly to colorectal cancer? (2 things)

A
  1. IBD
  2. Haemorrhoids
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How do you differentiate between IBD and Colorectal cancer? (2 things)

A
  1. IBD = presents younger (20-40 yrs)
  2. IBD = diarrhoea w blood + mucus
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How do you differentiate between Haemorrhoids and Colorectal cancer?

A

Haemorrhoids = bright red rectal bleeding on stool surface

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What lab tests should be done for suspected colorectal cancer? (3 things)

A
  1. FBC (will show microcytic anaemia, iron deficiency anaemia)
  2. LFTs
  3. Clotting
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the Gold standard imaging for diagnosis of colorectal cancer?

A

Colonoscopy w biopsy

18
Q

What makes a patient unsuitable for a colonscopy? (3 things)

A
  1. Frail
  2. Co-morb
  3. Intolerance
19
Q

What diagnostic imaging should be for suspected colorectal cancer if they are unsuitable for colonoscopy?

A

CT colonography

20
Q

What imaging should be done after diagnosis of colorectal cancer? (3 things)

A
  1. CT chest-abdomen-pelvis
  2. MRI rectum (only rectal cancer)
  3. Endo-anal US (only early rectal cancer)
21
Q

What do you look for in a CT chest-abdomen-pelvis scan in a patient with colorectal cancer? (2 things)

A
  1. Local invasion
  2. Distal metastases
22
Q

What are you assessing in a MRI rectum scan in a patient with colorectal cancer? (2 things)

A
  1. Depth of invasion
  2. Potential need for pre-op chemo
23
Q

What are you assessing in a Endo-anal US scan in a patient with colorectal cancer?

A

Suitability for trans-anal resection

24
Q

What should a biopsy for colorectal cancer be sent for? (5 things)

A
  1. TNM staging
  2. Histology subtyping
  3. Grading
  4. Assessment of lymphatic / perineural / venous invasion
  5. Check for tumour based markers
25
What is the curative treatment for colorectal cancer?
Regional colectomy + primary anastamosis (surgical connection between 2 structures) / Stoma formation
26
What colectomy should be done for Caecal / asc colon tumours?
R Hemicolectomy
27
What vessels are removed in a R Hemicolectomy? (3 things)
1. Ileocolic vessels 2. R colic vessels 3. R branch of M colic vessels Removed w. their mesenteries
28
What colectomy should be done for Desc colon tumours?
L Hemicolectomy
29
What vessels are removed in a L Hemicolectomy? (3 things)
1. L branch of M colic vessels 2. Inf mesenteric vein 3. L colic vessels Removed w. their mesenteries
30
What colectomy should be done for Sigmoid tumours?
Sigmoidcolectomy
31
What vessels are removed in a Sigmoidectomy?
Inferior mesenteric artery
32
What colectomy should be done for High rectal tumours (5cm + from anus)?
Anterior resection
33
What procedure is done to protect anastomosis in an Anterior resection?
Defunctioning loop ileostomy
34
Why is an Anterior resection better than an Abdominoperineal (AP) resection?
Because Anterior resection leaves rectal sphincter intact if anastomosis is performed
35
What colectomy should be done for Low rectal tumours (less than 5cm from anus)?
Abdominoperineal (AP) resection
36
What is excised in an Abdominoperineal (AP) resection? (3 things)
1. Distal colon 2. Rectum 3. Sphincters (Permanent colostomy)
37
How can colorectal cancer presenting with bowel obst be relieved? (2 things)
1. Decompressing colostomy 2. Endoscopic stenting
38
What is the indication for chemotherapy in colorectal cancer?
Advanced disease
39
What is the indication for radiotherapy in colorectal cancer?
Mainly Rectal cancer (R adiotherapy = R ectal)
40
Why is radiotherapy rarely given in colon cancer?
Because risk of damage to small bowel

Y4 Cancer Care (17 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions