Colorectal Cancer Flashcards
Colorectal cancer can be benign or malignant. What cell type causes this?
- Benign- Adenoma
- Malignant- Adenocarcinoma
The growth of colon _, can lead to Adenoma invasion and eventually adenocarcinoma.
Polyps
What are the 3 macroscopic changes seen in Colorectal cancer?
- Polypoidal
- Annular
- Ulcerative
Colorectal cancer most commonly affects which part of the colon?
Sigmoid
What is Dukes staging?
A- invasion into but not through the bowel wall (90% 5 year survival)
B: invasion through the bowel wall but not involving lymph nodes (70% 5 year survival)
C: involvement of lymph nodes (30% 5 year survival)
D: Distant metastases
Common sites of colorectal cancer spread?
- Local- adjacent structures
- Lymphatic-Pericolic nodes, perivascular nodes
- Blood- Liver, lungs
- Transcoelomic- peritoneal cavity
What are some risk factors for colorectal cancer?
- Exercise- obesity
- Family history- FAP, HNPCC mutation
- Predisposing conditions- Adenomatous polyps, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s.
AMPK- Reduced exercise and LKB1–> Increases glucose uptake by muscle, decreased cell turnover.
Wht are the symptoms of Colorecatl cancer?
- iron deficiency Anaemia- aged over 50
- Pain- change of bowel habbit
- rectal bleeding
- Tenasmus
What clinical findings can be seen in Colorectal cancer relating to-
- General
- Abdomen
- Recum
- General- Anaemia, Cachexia, Lymphadenopathy
- Abdomen- Mass, hepatomegaly, distension
- Rectum- mass, blood
What investigations would you do for Colorectal cancer?
- Barium enema
- CT colography
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Colonoscopy
What is Foecal occult blood testing?
Looks for blood in Faeces.
What investigations would you do to assess staging
- Lungs- CT
- Liver- CT
- Primary Rectal cancer- MRI (Look up on Mesorectal cacner, may need radiotherapy before surgery)