Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer, is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine). Signs and symptoms may include blood in the stool, a change in bowel movements, weight loss, and fatigue.
Stage 0 colorectal cancer is the earliest stage, and stage 4 is the most advanced stage:
- Stage 0. In this stage abnormal cells are only in the inner lining of the colon or rectum.
- Stage 1. The cancer has penetrated the lining, or mucosa, of the colon or rectum and may have grown into the muscle layer. It hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes or to other parts of the body.
- Stage 2. The cancer has spread to the walls of the colon or rectum or through the walls to nearby tissues but hasn’t affected the lymph nodes.
- Stage 3. In this stage cancer has moved to lymph node but not reached have affected the other parts of the body.
- Stage 4. At the last stage The cancer has spread to other distant organs, such as the liver or lungs.
Symtoms of Colorectal Cancer:-
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bleeding from the rectum
- Excessive gas
- Abdominal cramps
- Abdominal pain
Treatments for Colorectal Cancer:-
Surgery:-
Surgery is condisered to be effective at initial stages because a surgeon can remove the tumor before it becomes cancerous. In case of colorectal cancer, it might be possible for your surgeon to remove cancerous polyps through surgery.
Chemotherapy:-
Chemotherapy is used to kill cancer cell. For people with colorectal cancer, chemotherapy commonly takes place after surgery. Chemotherapy also controls the growth of tumors.
Chemotherapy drugs used to treat colorectal cancer include:
- Capecitabine (Xeloda)
- Fluorouracil
- Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin)
- Irinotecan (Camptosar)
Chemotherapy often comes with side effects that need to be controlled with additional medication.
