Colorectal Cancer

Question 1

What part of the colon is most cancer found? Where are there rarely cancers?

Answer 1

Most cancers are found on the left side, a quarter on the right and very rarely there are cancers in the transverse colon.

Question 2

What do the majority of cancers arise from?

Answer 2

pre-existing adenomatous polyps

Question 3

Genetic condition that can predispose to bowel cancer?

Answer 3

adenomatous polyposis coli

Question 4

Where does bowel cancer usually spread to?

Answer 4

The liver and the lungs

Question 5

Symptoms of right sided bowel cancers?

Answer 5

• Unexplained iron deficiency anaemia
• Persistent tiredness
• A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit (6 weeks or more)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Abdominal pain (colicky in nature)
• Lump in the abdomen

Question 6

Why must you investigate unexplained iron deficiency anaemia?

Answer 6

Could be a symptom of right sided bowel cancer

Question 7

Symptoms of left sided cancer and cancers of the rectum?

Answer 7

• Rectal bleeding
• Feeling of incomplete emptying
• Worsening constipation

Question 8

Why would you ask about the character of the blood?

Answer 8

Bright red blood- from the rectum
Is it painful- sign of cancer
Is the blood mixed with stool? – means it’s coming from higher up

Question 9

When is a sigmoidoscopy used as an investigation?

Answer 9

Fresh rectal bleeding

Question 10

When is radiotherapy and chemotherapy used?

Answer 10

For colorectal cancer radiotherapy is not good
Chemo for advanced colonic
Chemo and radio for advanced colo rectal
Radio for rectal

Question 11

Examples of palliation for colorectal cancers?

Answer 11

Stenting- relieves symptoms of bowel being narrow
Palliative radio/ chemotherapy
Defunctioning- Leave cancer but bring stoma above to relieve symptoms
Bypass