Facts About Colorectal Cancer
The greatest risk factor is age. More than 90 percent of all colorectal tumors are found in patients over age 50. However, the disease can happen at any age, so it is important to know your family history and the following risk factors.
Often there are no obvious signs of colorectal cancer, but some symptoms can include:
Special tests to evaluate the colon and rectum are used to detect and diagnose colorectal cancer.
The primary treatment for cancers of the colon and rectum is surgery. For cancers that have not spread, surgery alone may cure your cancer.
Radiation therapy, sometimes called radiotherapy, is the careful use of radiation to safely and effectively treat cancer.
External beam radiation therapy involves a series of daily outpatient treatments to accurately deliver radiation to the rectum. The radiation beam usually comes from a machine called a linear accelerator or linac. The treatments take around 10 to 15 minutes each, five days a week and can last for one week or five and half weeks.
· Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) is an advanced mode of radiotherapy delivery which not only uses multiple fields as with 3D-CRT, it also varies the intensity of the fields to allow even more precise radiation doses to the tumour
Possible Side Effects
People with colorectal cancer often get chemotherapy while they are receiving radiation therapy. Side effects during treatment are due to the radiation to the pelvic area and the effects of chemotherapy throughout the body.
Caring for Yourself During Treatment
Receiving cancer treatments can be difficult both physically and mentally. Take care of yourself by:
- There are about 2400 new cases or Colorectal cancer each year in Ireland.
- Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women.
- The 5 year survival rate in Ireland is 60 percent.
The greatest risk factor is age. More than 90 percent of all colorectal tumors are found in patients over age 50. However, the disease can happen at any age, so it is important to know your family history and the following risk factors.
- Personal history of colorectal cancer, polyps in the colon, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's Disease.
- Diet high in fat and red meat and low in fruits and vegetables.
- Obesity, physical inactivity, smoking and drinking alcohol in excess.
Often there are no obvious signs of colorectal cancer, but some symptoms can include:
- Change in bowel frequency, such as alternating episodes of diarrhea and constipation.
- Bloody bowel movements or rectal bleeding.
- General abdominal discomfort.
- Bloating.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Chronic fatigue.
- Unexplained anaemia.
Special tests to evaluate the colon and rectum are used to detect and diagnose colorectal cancer.
- A physical exam to assess your overall health, including a digital rectal exam (DRE) to evaluate the rectum for abnormal masses.
- A test for blood in your stool.
- A sigmoidoscopy to look inside the rectum and sigmoid colon for polyps or other abnormal areas that may be cancerous. Your doctor uses a thin, lighted tube.
- A double-contrast barium enema, in which the colon and rectum are examined with X-rays showing the inside of the bowel.
- A colonoscopy using a long, flexible lighted tube to look inside the rectum and the entire colon. Your doctor is looking for polyps or other abnormal areas that may be cancerous.
- To determine for sure whether you have cancer, some tissue will be removed during sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy and examined under a microscope. This test is called a biopsy.
- Patients with colorectal cancer often require additional scans to see whether the cancer has spread.
The primary treatment for cancers of the colon and rectum is surgery. For cancers that have not spread, surgery alone may cure your cancer.
- Depending on the location and stage of your cancer, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. They may be given before or after surgery.
- For rectal cancer, radiation therapy is usually given with chemotherapy. It can be given before or after surgery. Depending on your tumour, radiation therapy before surgery may allow the surgeon to spare your anus. This would avoid the need for a permanent colostomy and may reduce the chance of the cancer coming back.
- Radiotherapy is generally note given for cancer of the colon.
Radiation therapy, sometimes called radiotherapy, is the careful use of radiation to safely and effectively treat cancer.
- Radiation oncologists use radiation therapy to try to cure cancer, to control cancer growth or to relieve symptoms, such as pain.
- Radiation therapy works within cancer cells by damaging their ability to multiply. When these cells die, the body naturally eliminates them.
- Healthy tissues are also affected by radiation, but they are able to repair themselves in a way cancer cells cannot.
External beam radiation therapy involves a series of daily outpatient treatments to accurately deliver radiation to the rectum. The radiation beam usually comes from a machine called a linear accelerator or linac. The treatments take around 10 to 15 minutes each, five days a week and can last for one week or five and half weeks.
- Before beginning treatment, you will be scheduled for a simulation to map out the area being treated. This will involve having X-rays and/or a CT scan. You will also receive tiny marks on your skin, like a tattoo, to help the therapists precisely position you for daily treatment.
- To minimize side effects, the treatments are five days a week, Monday through Friday, for about six weeks. This allows doctors to get enough radiation into your body to kill the tumour while giving healthy cells time to recover each day.
- Types of External Beam Radiotherapy.
· Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) is an advanced mode of radiotherapy delivery which not only uses multiple fields as with 3D-CRT, it also varies the intensity of the fields to allow even more precise radiation doses to the tumour
Possible Side Effects
People with colorectal cancer often get chemotherapy while they are receiving radiation therapy. Side effects during treatment are due to the radiation to the pelvic area and the effects of chemotherapy throughout the body.
- Possible side effects from radiation include more frequent bowel movements, diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, pressure or discomfort in the rectal area, urinating more often, burning with urination, nausea and fatigue. These are usually temporary and resolve after your treatment ends.
- Chemotherapy side effects will depend on the specific drug you receive.
- Treatment may affect your ability to have children. Talk with your doctor to see whether specific treatment may harm your fertility.
- You may experience a mild skin irritation, like a sunburn, and you may lose your pubic hair. Side effects are usually limited to the part of your body that receives radiation and should get better after treatment ends.
- Side effects are not the same for all patients. Ask your doctor what you can expect from your specific treatment.
Caring for Yourself During Treatment
Receiving cancer treatments can be difficult both physically and mentally. Take care of yourself by:
- Getting plenty of rest.
- Following doctor's orders.
- Eating a balanced, nutritious diet.
- Treating the skin that is exposed to radiation with extra care.
- Seeking support from friends, family and cancer support groups.