About Department

Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer or rectal cancer depending on its location, is a cancer that starts in the colon or rectum, which are parts of the large intestine. It is one of the most common cancers worldwide but is often preventable and treatable, especially when detected early.

Types of Colorectal Cancer

1. Adenocarcinomas: The most common type, accounting for about 95% of cases, originating in the glandular cells lining the colon and rectum.
2. Carcinoid Tumors: Start in hormone-producing cells of the intestine.
3. Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs): Begin in specialized cells in the wall of the colon, which can be benign or malignant.
4. Lymphomas: Cancers of the immune system that can start in the colon or rectum.
5. Sarcomas: Rare cancers that start in the blood vessels, muscle layers, or other connective tissues of the colon and rectum.

Risk Factors

• Age: Most cases occur in people aged 50 and older.
• Family History: A family history of colorectal cancer or polyps increases risk.
• Genetic Syndromes: Conditions like Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) significantly raise the risk.
• Diet: High consumption of red and processed meats.
• Lifestyle Factors: Lack of physical activity, obesity, smoking, and heavy alcohol use.
• Chronic Conditions: Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Symptoms

• Changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool)
• Persistent abdominal discomfort (cramps, gas, or pain)
• Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

Diagnosis

Screening Tests:

• Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) and Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): Check for hidden blood in stool.
• Colonoscopy: Allows direct visualization and biopsy of suspicious areas in the colon and rectum.
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Examines the lower part of the colon and rectum.
• CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy): Uses CT scans to create detailed images of the colon and rectum.

Diagnostic Procedures:

• Biopsy: Removing tissue samples during a colonoscopy to confirm cancer.
• Imaging Tests: CT scans, MRI, and PET scans to determine the extent and spread of the cancer.