Pathology Report Colorectal Cancer Sahar Najibi April 11 th, 2008

Colorectal Cancer; aka colon cancer or large bowel cancer  The growth of cancer in any part of the colon or the rectum.  Polyps (tumor)- growths inside the colon and rectum that may become cancerous

Signs and Symptoms  No symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage.  When symptoms occur they are: Abdominal pain/ General stomach discomfort Change in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation) Bloody stool or rectal bleeding Stool with mucus Narrower stools

What are the causes?  Family history of stomach, abdominal, bowel, bone, or liver cancer.  Increased rate after age of 50  Long-standing ulcerative colitis or Crohon’s disease of the colon  Diet high in fat and low in fiber  Lack of exercise  Smoking/ Alcohol Smokers are more likely to die of colorectal cancer than non-smokers

Diagnosis  Fecal occult blood test  Double-contrast barium enema  Endoscopic ultrasound Sigmoidoscopy Colonoscopy  CT scan/ PET scan  Blood tests  Physical exam

Treatment  Surgery Parts of affected area  Colostomy  Chemotherapy  Radiation therapy  Immunotherapy (vaccines) (If it is caught in early stages with little or no spread, it can be curable.)

Prognosis  Stage i= curable by surgery  Stage ii= 5 year survival rate 50-65% Almost curable as Stage i.  Stage iii= 5 year survival rate 25%-40%  Stage iv= 5 year survival rate 5 %

Prevention  Diet high in fruits and vegetables  Exercise and maintain a healthy weight  Regular use of Aspirin or NSAID’s, oral contraceptives, and estrogen- replacement therapy  Physical checkups Screening for colorectal cancer