colorectal cancer

colorectal cancer

A malignant epithelial tumour arising from the colonic or rectal mucosa. It is the 3rd leading cause of cancer in the US. The risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) is reduced with a low-fat, high-fibre diet.
 
Epidemiology
139,000 new cases, 53,000 deaths (2006, US).

Clinical findings
Rectal bleeding, occult blood in stools and, if advanced, bowel obstruction and weight loss.

Surveillance
Most CRCs develop from polyps which, like early cancer, are often asymptomatic. Screening is recommended every 3 years; annual faecal occult blood testing is reported to reduce mortality by 33%, as cancers are detected earlier.

Predisposition
Adenomatous polyps, family history—highest if 1st-degree family member (parents, siblings or children) had CRC, and even higher if it occurred under age 55, or there’s a history of ulcerative colitis.
 
Diagnosis
Colonoscopy with biopsy, CT, barium enema.
 
Management
Surgery; cure likely if cancer is confined to intestine.

Colorectal cancer—TNM staging
Stage I: Tumour invades muscularis propria, but no spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage II: Tumour spreads into the subserosa and/or perirectal tissues with up to 3 regional lymph nodes, OR directly invades adjacent tissue without lymph node involvement.
Stage III: Any depth of tumour invasion with 4+ positive lymph nodes; no distant metastases.
Stage IV: Any depth of tumour invasion; any number positive lymph nodes, distant metastases.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

colorectal cancer

Colon cancer Oncology A malignant epithelial tumor arising from the colonic or rectal mucosa, which is the 3^rd leading cause of cancer in ♂, 4^th ? in ♀ in the US; risk of CC is ↓ with a low fat, high fiber diet Epidemiology 152,000 new cases, 57,000 deaths–1993, US Surveillance Annual Fecal occult blood testing is reported to ↓ mortality by 33% Predisposition Adenomatous polyps, family Hx–highest if 1^st-degree family member–parents, siblings or children had CC and even higher if < age 55, ulcerative colitis Screening Most colorectal cancers develop from polyps; colon polypectomy ↓ CC; colon polyps and early cancer may be asymptomatic; screening is recommended every 3 yrs Clinical Rectal bleeding, occult blood in stools and, in advanced cases, bowel obstruction and weight loss Diagnosis Colonoscopy with biopsy, CT, barium enema Pathology Most CCs are adenocarcinomas; 'raromas' include lymphomas, neuroendocrine carcinomas, and sarcomas Molecular pathology CCs develop as genetic alterations accumulate–eg, K-ras oncogene on chromosome 12, and tumor-suppressor genes on chromosomes 5, 17p–which encodes p53, and 18q–DCC gene Management Surgery; cure likely if CA is confined to intestine. See Colorectal adenoma.

Colorectal cancer–TNM classification

Stage I Tumor invades muscularis propria, but has not spread to nearby lymph nodes

Stage II Tumor spread into the subserosa and/or perirectal tissues with up to 3 regional lymph nodes, or directly invades adjacent tissues without lymph node involvement

Stage III Any depth of tumor invasion with four or more positive lymph nodes, without distant metastases

Stage IV Any depth of tumor involvement; any number of involved lymp nodes, with distant metastases

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Colorectal cancer

Cancer of the large intestine, or colon, including the rectum (the last 16 in of the large intestine before the anus).

Mentioned in: Sigmoidoscopy

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Patient discussion about colorectal cancer

Q. What is the best pathophysiology of colorectal cancer. The pathophysiology just has to be brief and concise. It also has to include nursing considerations for the patient.

A. i'm not sure i understand your question...do you mean what is the best treatment for colorectal cancer? patophysiology is the changes the tissue acquired. if you'll give me more details on what you are looking for i'll be more then happy to help you.

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