Colorectal Cancer Flashcards
What are the symptoms of colonic cancer?
None - until later stage
Rectal bleeding
Anaemic symptoms - tiredness and breathlessness
Bowel obstruction - cramping and constipation.
What is the prognosis for patients with colonic cancer once symptoms present?
Poor - very late stage of cancer
Where does colonic cancer most commonly spread to?
The liver
How do you screen for Colonic cancer?
Faecal occult blood sample in the post for > 50’s.
Result;
Negative = Another sample 5 years later
Positive - endoscopy
CT/MRI scans
CEA: Carcinoembrionic antigeen
Barium enema
What are the causes of colonic carcinomas?
Unhealthy diet Lack of exercise Smoking Genetics - can be predisposed to polyps. Ulcerative colitis
What do most colorectal carcinomas arise from?
Polyps
How long do polyps take to become malignant?
5 years
What is the risk for a patient with polyps in their small intestine?
Low risk
What is the risk for a patient with polyps in their large intestine?
High risk
Describe characteristics of polyps.
Mix of glandular and mucosal tissue
Bleed when irritated = RBC in stool.
Form regularly
What syndromes are polyps in the large intestine usually associated with? Why is this relevant?
Both have oral manifestations;
Gardiners syndrome
Cowdens syndrome
Describe the staging of colorectal cancer and the chance of survival associated with each.
Submucosal - 80%
Muscularis - 65%
Lymph nodes - 45%
Liver - 5%
List the treatment options for colonic cancer.
Surgery
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy
Why do those who have had polyps before have to be screened regularly?
Polyps form regularly
