Colorectal carcinoma, FAP, HNPCC, Peutz-Jeghers, GI polyps Flashcards
Epidemiology of colorectal carcinoma
Age? Sex? Geography?
Peak in 60s,
More in men
Western disease
Role of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) in colorectal cancer?
- APC is a protein that promotes degradation of β-catenin.
- mutations in APC lead to increased β-catenin, and increased cell proliferation
Sequence of events from formation of adenomas to colorectal carcinomas caused by APC mutation?
- First hit: mutation of one APC copy
- Second hit: mutation of second copy of APC (leads to adenoma formation)
- Further mutations (eg in KRAS and p53) in the adenoma –> malignant transformation
Risk factors for colorectal cancer?
- Diet: ↓ fibre + ↑ refined carbohydrate
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Familial: FAP, HNPCC, Peut-Jeghers
- Smoking
- Genetic (one first degree relative makes it 50 times more likely)
NOTE:
NSAIDS/ Aspirin are protective
What type of carcinoma are the majority of colorectal cancers?
- 95% adenocarcinoma
- others: lymphoma, GIST, carcinoid
The 3 common sites for colorectal cancers?
Rectum: 35%
Sigmoid: 25%
Caecum and ascending colon: 20%
Symptoms of colorectal cancer?
Left sided cancer: - Altered bowel habit - PR mass - Obstruction - bleeding/ mucus Right sided cancer: - Anaemia
Examination findings of colorectal cancer?
Palpable mass Perianal fistulae Hepatomegaly Anaemia Signs of obstruction
Anal fistula
- a narrow tunnel with its internal opening in the anal canal and its external opening in the skin near the anus
- an abnormal communication bnormal communication between the epithelialised surface of the anal canal and (usually) the perianal skin
Investigations for colorectal carcinoma?
- Bloods:
I. FBC: Hb
II. LFTs: mets
III. Tumour Marker: CEA (carcinoembryonic Ag) - Imaging
I. CXR: mets
II. Ultrasound liver: mets
III. CT or MRI for staging (MRI best for rectal Ca and liver mets)
IV. Endoanal ultrasound: staging rectal tumours
V. Ba / gastrograffin enema: apple-core lesion - Endoscopy + biopsy:
I. flexi sigmoid: 65% of tumours accessible
II. colonoscopy
DUKES staging of colorectal cancer?
A. confined to bowel wall
B. through bowel wall but not lymph nodes
C. regional lymph nodes
D. distant mets
TNM staging of colorectal cancer?
TIS: carcinoma in situ T1: submucosa T2: muscularis propria T3: subserosa T4: through the serosa to adjacent organs N1: 1-3 nodes N2: >4 nodes
Grading of colorectal cancer?
Grading from low to high
- Based on cell morphology
- Dysplasia, mitotic index, hyperchromatism
Pre-operative preparation for colorectal cancer resection surgery?
I. Kleen Prep (Macrogol: osmotic laxative) the day before and phosphate enema in the morning of surgery.
II. discuss stomas (Stoma nurse consult for siting)
Surgical options for rectal cancer management?
- Anterior resection:
- used for upper rectum (tumour 4-5cm from anal verge)
- takes out rectum and anus
- needs loop ileostomy - Abdominoperineal resection:
- used for lower rectum ( tumour <4cm from anal verge)
- leaves the anus untouched! but takes the rectum out
+/- 3. Total mesorectal excision (TME)
- removal of mesorectum
- for tumours of the middle and lower third of rectum
- it reduces the cancer recurrence
- Side effect: ↑ risk of faecal incontinence