Related articles: Colorectal cancer
Definition
Colorectal cancer is a disease due to the uncontrolled proliferation of some cells, which cover the inner walls of the last tract of the digestive system.
Colorectal cancer mainly affects the rectum and the sigmoid (hence the terminal features of the large intestine), but can also occur in the ascending colon, in the transverse colon or in the descending colon. In most cases, this tumor originates from the transformation of a pre-existing intestinal polyp into a malignant sense.
In addition to having the appearance of a polyp, colorectal cancer may appear as a nodule or manifest as mucosal ulcers. The cause is unknown, although some risk factors have been identified: age over 50 years, familiarity or personal history of polyps or colorectal cancers, presence of inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease), previous neoplasms against other organs (in particular, uterus and breast), low fiber diet and rich in animal fats.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Acute abdomen
- Alve alterations
- Anemia
- Ascites
- Asthenia
- Cachexia
- Diarrhea
- dyschezia
- Dysentery
- Abdominal distention
- Pain in a hip
- Abdominal pain
- Anal pain
- haematochezia
- Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
- Hard stools
- Ribbed stools
- Abdominal swelling
- Swelling in the anal area
- Fecal incontinence
- Hypokalemia
- Hyponatremia
- undernourishment
- Thinness
- Mucorrea
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Gastrointestinal perforation
- Rectal prolapse
- Anal itching
- rettorragia
- Blood from the anno
- Blood in the stool
- Foam in urine
- Sense of heaviness in the anus
- Constipation
- Rectal tenesmus
- He retched
Further indications
In the early stages, colorectal cancer is generally asymptomatic; at the limit, there can be a very variable symptomatology that can be superimposed to that of many other abdominal or intestinal conditions. Stubborn constipation alternating with diarrhea, fatigue, lack of appetite, abdominal colic pain, nausea and vomiting may occur. Furthermore, it can be observed the presence of traces of blood in the toilet paper, a rapid weight loss or the emission of hard and ribbon-like stools.
In the more advanced stages, the symptoms become more specific, even if conditioned by various factors, including the site of the neoplasm and its extension. In rectal localization there is proctorrhagia (loss of bright red blood with faeces), evacuation of abundant mucus with feces and tenesmus (continuous stimulation to evacuation). If the tumor originates in the distal colon, instead, there is severe constipation or intestinal obstruction, whereas when it is located in the proximal colon and in the cecum it occurs mainly with anemia. Moreover, in the advanced stages, metastases can be present, that is localizations of the disease in different locations (mostly at the level of the liver) due to the dissemination of tumor cells.
The diagnosis is made by means of colonoscopy and barium enema with double contrast (radiological examination), which make it possible to diagnose the type and location of the neoplasm.
The search for occult blood in the faeces, then, allows the identification of colorectal neoplasms in the initial phase and asymptomatic. It should therefore be carried out annually after the age of 50, in order to make an early diagnosis in positive subjects through further and indispensable checks (colonoscopy).
The therapeutic approach to colorectal cancer involves surgical removal of the intestinal segment affected by the disease, together with neighboring tissues. In a more advanced state, it may be appropriate to also resort to chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
