Colorectal Cancer

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer starts as a tumor (lump) in the colon and rectum. Cancers develop when abnormal cells grow and divide without control or order, often making too much tissue (tumor). Colon cancer cells may grow into nearby healthy tissue. It is very common for colon cancer cells to spread to the liver. It is called metastasis when cancer cells break away from the tumor and travel to other parts of the body.

Where are the colon and rectum located?

The colon and rectum are also called the large bowel. They are part of the digestive system in the lower part of the abdomen (stomach). The digestive system is where food is swallowed and broken down. The colon is the first section of the large bowel where stools form. The rectum is the last part of the large bowel where the stools stay before leaving the body.

What causes colorectal cancer?

The following are some of the things that may cause colorectal cancer:

• Often being around certain chemicals or materials, such as asbestos.
  
  
• Eating foods that have a lot of fat in them, such as fried foods. Eating foods that are low in fiber may also cause colorectal cancer. Foods high in fiber include cereals, fruits, and vegetables.
  
  
• Having certain diseases of the bowel that can lead to colorectal cancer. These diseases may include polyps (small lumps of tissue in your colon) and ulcerative colitis.
  
  
• Having a parent, sister, or brother with colon cancer.
  
  
• Having diabetes or being over your ideal body weight as suggested by your caregiver.
  
  
• Smoking or drinking alcohol. Alcohol may include beer, wine, or whiskey.

What are the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer?

There are usually no signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer during its early stages. Later in the disease, you may have:

• Bloody, black, or pencil-thin stools.
  
  
• Cramping abdominal pain or a feeling of always having a full abdomen.
  
  
• Diarrhea (loose, watery stools) or constipation (hard stools).
  
  
• Rectal pain.
  
  
• Tiredness or weakness all the time.
  
  
• Weight loss without reason.

How is colorectal cancer diagnosed?

Yearly screening for colorectal cancer in all men and women over 50 years old is suggested. You should be screened earlier if you have colon diseases or a family history of colorectal cancer. Your caregiver may need to check your stool sample for the presence of occult (hidden) blood. Blood in the stool may be an early sign of a serious problem. You may also need one or more of the following tests:

• Abdominal ultrasound: This test is done so caregivers can see the tissues and organs of your abdomen. Gel will be put on your abdomen and a small sensor will be moved across your abdomen. The sensor uses sound waves to send pictures of your abdomen to a TV-like screen.
  
  
• Barium enema: A barium enema is an x-ray of the colon. A tube is put into your anus, and a liquid called barium is put through the tube. Barium is used so that caregivers can see your colon better on the x-ray film.
  
  
• Bone scan: This test uses a special x-ray machine with a computer to take pictures of your bones. Caregivers look at the pictures to see if the cancer has spread to your bones. This test may be done if you have bone pain.
  
  
• Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is a test that is done to look at your colon. A tube with a light on the end will be put into your anus, and then moved forward into your colon.
  
  
• CT scan: This test is also called a CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your abdomen (stomach). Caregivers look at the pictures to see if there is colon cancer and if it has spread to the liver. Before taking the pictures, you may be given dye through an IV in your vein. The dye helps the cancer show up better in the pictures. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp), as you may also be allergic to this dye.

How is colorectal cancer treated?

Your treatment may change if the cancer continues to grow or spread. You may need one or more of the following treatments:

• Biologic therapy for cancer: Biologic therapy is medicine given to help your body fight growing cancer cells. It may also make cancer cells weaker and easier to kill. You may need this medicine more than once. You may feel like you have the flu during this therapy.
  
  
• Chemotherapy:
  
  
  • This medicine, often called chemo, is used to treat cancer. It works by killing tumor cells. Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink lymph nodes that have cancer in them. Once the tumor is smaller, you may need surgery to cut out the rest of the cancer.
    
    
  • Many different chemotherapy medicines are used to treat cancer. You may need blood tests often. These blood tests show how your body is doing and how much chemotherapy is needed. Chemotherapy can have many side effects. Caregivers will watch you closely and will work with you to decrease side effects. Chemotherapy can cure some cancers. Even if the chemotherapy does not cure your cancer, it may help you feel better or live longer.
  
  
• Radiation: Radiation shrinks tumors and kills cancer cells with x-rays or gamma rays. Radiation may be given after surgery to kill cancer cells that were not removed. It may also be given alone or with chemotherapy to treat cancer.
  
  
• Surgery: You may need surgery depending upon the stage of your colon cancer. All or part of your colon or rectum may be removed. You may also need to have some lymph nodes removed. This may keep the cancer from spreading to other parts of your body. Surgery is often the only treatment needed if the cancer is found early. After the diseased bowel is removed, the surgeon may be able to attach together the healthy parts of the colon and rectum.

Where can I find support and more information?

Accepting that you have cancer is hard. You and those close to you may feel scared, depressed or angry. These are normal feelings. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a cancer support group. This is a group of people who also have colorectal cancer. Contact the following for more information:

• American Cancer Society
  250 Williams Street
  Atlanta , GA 30303
  Phone: 1- 800 - 227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• National Cancer Institute
  6116 Executive Boulevard, Room 3036A
  Bethesda , MD 20892-8322
  Phone: 1- 800 - 422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.gov
  

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Colorectal Cancer