LEC 10: Colorectal Cancer Flashcards
Where dose the small and large intestine join?
Join at the cecum
What is the etiology and pathophysiology for colorectal cancer?
- Cause remains unclear
- No single use
- Some at high risk than others
- Mix of genetic and environmental factors can cause cells in the lining of the bowel to turn cancerous
- Most colon cancers typically arise from polyps
What do most colon cancers arise from?
Most colon cancers typically arise from polyps
What is polyps?
Small bulges of abnormal cells from bowel wall
What are the non-modifiable risk factors for colorectal cancer?
- Age: > 50 years
- Personal history of colorectal polyps
- Family history of colorectal cancer
- Personal history of IBD, particularly ulcerative colitis
- Family/ personal history of familia adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
- Ethnicity: African Americans, Eastern European Jewish
What are modifiable risk factors for colorectal cancer?
- Diet high in fats and calories
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obesity
- Smokin
- Heavy alcohol consumption
Clinical Manifestations of Colorectal Cancer
- No symptoms in early stages
- Vary depending on cancer location
- Blood in/on stool
- Change in bowel habits
- General abdominal discomfort
- Feeling of bowel not emptying
- Urgency with BMs
- Weight loss, tiredness
Saskatchewan Colorectal Screening
- Age 50 to 74
- Stool sample (FIT test)
- Completed at home
- Completed every 2 years
- Results sent to family doctor
- If positive result, further diagnostics test performed
What are the diagnostic studies done for colorectal cancer?
- DRE: Digital rectal exam
- Fecal occult blood test (FOB)
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Biopsy
- Barium enema (causes constipation for the patient)
- Blood tests- CNC, LFTs, CEA
What kind of treatment do patients with colorectal cancer undergo?
- Polyp removal
- Surgical therapies
- Chemotherapy and radiation
Polyp Removal
- Colon cancer typically arises from polyps
- Early detection and removal is key to eliminating the risk
- Remove during colonoscopy
- Done if caner is in early stages: Only on colon surface
What are the 4 surgical therapies for colorectal cancer?
- Right hemicolectomy
- Left hemicolectomy
- Lower anterior resection
- Abdominal perineal resection
Surgical Therapies: Right Hemicolectomy & Left Hemocolectomy
Go in through the abdomen or laparoscopically and remove some portion of the bowel and some fo the healthy tissue. Would then reconnect the large intestine to the small intestine
Where is the cancer located for a right hemicolectomy therapy to take place?
Cancer is in:
- Cecum
- Ascending colon
- Hepatic felxure
- Part of right transverse colon
Where is the cancer located for a left hemicolectomy therapy to take place?
Cancer is in:
- Left transverse colon
- Splenic flexure
- Descending colon
- Sigmoid colon
- Upper portion of the rectum