Bowel Cancer (Colon Cancer/Rectal Cancer) - Medtick
Medtick

Bowel Cancer (Colon Cancer/Rectal Cancer)

What is it?

It is the cancer of the colon and/or rectum which makes up the large intestine (the large intestine carries waste from the small intestine and eliminates it through the anus).

  • It begins with small growths (polyps) and eventually turn cancerous if not removed

There are many types of colon cancer:

  • Adenocarcinoma (most common) type of colon cancer – This type of cancer originates in the mucus-secreting glands of the colon.
  • Signet-ring cell carcinoma
  • Serrated adenocarcinoma
  • Cribriform comedo-type adenocarcinoma
  • Micropapillary carcinoma
  • Medullary carcinoma
  • Soft tissue sarcomas
  • Colorectal lymphomas
  • Neuroendocrine tumours
  • Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs)

Screening for other members of family

  • An individual with a family history of colorectal cancer has the same risk for colorectal cancer at age 40 years that an average-risk individual has at age 50 years.

Fuchs C, Giovannucci E, Colditz G, Hunter D, Speizer F, Willett W. A prospective study of family history and the risk of colorectal cancer. N Engl J Med. 1994;331:1669-1674. Source

  • Accordingly, the current 2021 ACG guidelines for those with a family history of colorectal cancer recommend starting screening at age 40 years, or 10 years before the age of diagnosis of the youngest affected relative, whichever comes first.

Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, Rabeneck L, Sauer BG, Rex DK. ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021. Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116:458-479. Source

  • The risk is also higher in closer familial relations compared with average-risk individuals.

Graff RE, Möller S, Passarelli MN, et al. Familial risk and heritability of colorectal cancer in the Nordic Twin Study of Cancer. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017;15:1256-1264. Source

  • For patients with a first-degree relative with colorectal cancer or advanced polyps, the ACG recommends interval colonoscopy every 5 years.

Shaukat A, Kahi CJ, Burke CA, Rabeneck L, Sauer BG, Rex DK. ACG clinical guidelines: colorectal cancer screening 2021. Am J Gastroenterol. 2021;116:458-479. Source

Medscape

Bowel screening test
Patients who are over 50 years old should have a bowel screening test. See your medical doctor to find out when it is due.

Cause

Treatments

  • Radiation to the abdomen, pelvis, or spine as a child

Syndromes

Symptoms

  • Feel full quickly when eating trapped wind and burping  (‘foul rotten egg smell’)?
  • Pain and difficulty swallowing?
  • Abdominal pain and/or are constant violently vomiting or vomitinglonger than two days (one day if a child)?
  • Rectal bleeding?
  • Change in bowel habits/movements that are more than three weeks i.e. going to the toilet more often or less often than usual?
  • Pain and/or mass (lump) on the right hand side?
  • Blood in faeces (like coffee grounds)?
  • Black/tarry stools?
  • Anaemic (i.e. lack of oxygen in blood, due to lack of iron, folic acid or blood loss)?
  • Short of breath?
  • Loss of appetite?
  • General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
  • Unexplained weight loss?
  • Unknown lumps or swellings on any part of body?

Nail changes:

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Medical Emergency Condition

And/or do not wait, phone for ambulance if have or develop:

  • Jaundice
  • Bowel obstruction
  • Air Bubbles in Urine: Air bubbles in your urine (called pneumaturia) may occur if a tumor in the colon invades into the bladder.

This condition can cause:

This condition can show similar symptoms to:

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Bowel Cancer (Colon Cancer/Rectal Cancer) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).

  • NHS

    Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help (British National Health Service).

  • Medscape

    Latest medical news and expert commentary in your specialty as well as disease information.

  • Pharmaceutical Journal

    The Pharmaceutical Journal covers analysis, features, opinion, learning and careers articles, providing insight and knowledge about drugs, pharmacy practice, medicines use and healthcare policy in the context of the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical science.

  • Healthline

    Medical Information and health advice you can trust

  • ChatGPT

    Get instant answers, find creative inspiration, and learn something new.

  • Medical News Today

    Medical news and health news headlines posted throughout the day, every day.

  • WebMD

    Better Information. Better Health.

  • Cleveland Clinic

    Pushing the Standards of care.

  • Mayo Clinic

    No.1 Hospital in the Nation (America)

  • Drugs.com

    Know more. Be sure.

  • National Organisation of Rare Diseases

    NORD is dedicated to supporting education, elevating care, advancing research, and driving policy for rare diseases.

  • Verywell Health

    Know more. Fell better.

  • Fit for Travel

    Information on how to stay safe and healthy abroad.

  • DR Axe

    Health and fitness news. Recipes, Natural Remedies

© Medtick - 2024. All Rights Reserved.