COLON CANCER

BIOLOGY 231 PRESENTATION

FALL 2013

WHAT IS COLON CANCER?

Surgery

The wall of the colon is made up of layers of tissue. Colon cancer occurs when abnormal cells form in the inner layer of this tissue. The cancer can grow through some or all of the other layers. The stage (extent) of the cancer depends to a great degree on how deep the cancer goes into these layers.

SurgeryThe goal of colon surgery is to remove the cancer. Surgeon will also check the rest of intestine and nearby organs to see if the cancer has spread. Colon cancer surgery is known as a colectomy, colon resection or hemi-colectomy, depending on how much of the colon is removed.

Radiation

Open Surgery

Colon surgery can be performed using open surgery (through a large incision) or using minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery (through a few small incisions).

With open surgery, also called laparotomy, surgeon must make a large abdominal cut/incision to reach the colon and other organs

Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. It affects cancer cells only in the treated area. Doctors use different types of radiation therapy to treat cancer. The two more common types of radiation patients receive include:

Internal radiation

External Radiation:

External radiation comes from a machine. The patient is positioned on a table and the machine or arm of the machine is directed to the part of your body that will receive radiation – similar to what happens during an X-ray. Treatment is given at a hospital or clinic five days a week for several weeks

Internal radiation comes from radioactive material placed in thin tubes put directly into or near the tumor. The patient stays in the hospital, and the implants generally remain in place for several days. Usually they are removed before the patient goes home.

Side effects depend mainly on the amount of radiation given and the part of your body that is treated. Radiation therapy to your abdomen and pelvis may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or urgent bowel movements.

COLON CANCER COUSES AND RISK FACTORS

COLON CANCER

AGE:

Colon cancer is more likely to occur as people get older. More than 90 percent of people with this disease are diagnosed after age 50

POLYPS:

Polyps are growths on the inner wall of the colon. They are common in people over age 50. Most polyps are benign (not cancer), but some polyps (adenomas) can become cancer. Finding and removing polyps may reduce the risk of colon cancer

FAMILY HISTORY:

Close relatives (parents, brothers, sisters, or children) of a person with a history of colon cancer are somewhat more likely to develop this disease themselves, especially if the relative had the cancer at a young age. If many close relatives have a history of colon cancer, the risk is even greater

Oakton Community College

Biology 231

Prof. Zamvel Nakhlis

By. Zohreh Sanaei

Chemotherapy

COLON CANCER CAUSES AND RISK FACTOR

Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs in an effort to kill cancer cells. Anticancer drugs are usually given through a vein, but some may be given by mouth. You may be treated in as an out-patient, in the doctor's office, or at home. In rare cases, a hospital stay is needed.

The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on the specific drugs and the dose. Side effects can include: infection, bruising or bleeding easily, fatigue, hair loss, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or mouth sores. Your health care team can suggest ways to control many of these side effects. Most side effects usually go away after treatment ends

Personal history of cancer:

A person who has already had colon cancer may develop it a second time. Also, women with a history of cancer of the ovary, uterus, or breast are at a somewhat higher risk of developing colon cancer

Diet:

Studies suggest diets high in fat (especially animal fat) and low in calcium, and fiber may increase the risk of colon cancer

Cigarette smoking :

A person who smokes cigarettes may be at increased

risk of developing polyps and colon cancer

Colon Cancer Symptoms

Colon Cancer Treatment Options

COLONOSCOPY

Colon Cancer Stages

• Diarrhea or constipation
• Changes in bowel habits
• Feeling your bowel does not empty completely
• Blood (either bright red or very dark) in your stool
• Stools are narrower than usual
• Frequent gas pains or cramps
• Feeling full or bloated
• Losing weight with no known reason
• Constant fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting

Colonoscopy/Polypectomy:

doctor will give you important instructions on how to cleanse your bowels prior to the colonoscopy. The day of the procedure, patients are often given a light sedative. During your colonscopy, small potentially cancerous polyp can also be removed (polypectomy).

The procedure typically lasts thirty to sixty minutes. Cramping or bloating may occur the first hour afterwards. Colonoscopy is an out-patient procedure and full recovery is expected the next day.

Because the majority of colon cancers begin as precancerous polyps, colon cancer is a potentially preventable disease. Screening and early detection can catch colon cancer at an early stage or before polyps turn into cancer. Colonoscopy is a screen test for colon cancer and is considered the most reliable means for early detection.

Stage 0:

The cancer is found only in the innermost lining of the colon. Carcinoma in situ is another name for Stage 0 colorectal cancer

Stage I:

The tumor has grown into the inner wall of the colon. The tumor has not grown through the wall.

Stage II:

The tumor extends more deeply into or through the wall of the colon. It may have invaded nearby tissue, but cancer cells have not spread to the lymph nodes

Stage III:

The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, but not to other parts of the body.

Stage IV:

The cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs