World Cancer Day 2021: Symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis & treatment of Colorectal Cancer

Cancer is more prevalent in Western parts of the world, but its incidence is growing due to Westernization in India. Its prevalence in young patients increases. During this COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals state that the treatment of many deadly diseases has been ignored or delayed and one of them is cancer. So, on this World Cancer Day, doctors talk about colorectal cancer to raise awareness against this disease. 

How Does Colorectal Cancer manifest?

Dr Ganesh Nagarajan, Consultant Gastroenterology Surgery at P. D. Hinduja Hospital says “Carcinoma Colon changes in bowel habits causing incomplete evacuation, and constipation, which is more common with Left-sided colonic tumours. Hence, they tend to get detected early. Other symptoms include anaemia, weakness, which is a joint presentation of right-sided colon cancer. It sometimes presents with Intestinal Obstruction, which usually occurs in the advanced stages of the disease.”

What are the factors that increase the risk of colorectal cancer?

Dr Chandan K Das, DM Medical Oncology, PGIMER Chandigarh elaborates on the risk factors of colorectal cancer: 

Family history of colorectal cancer

Consumption of Alcohol

Smoking

Obesity

Lack of Physical activity

Combination hormone replacement therapy

Polyp removal

How can the disease be diagnosed?

The severity of the disease determines its degree of cure. So, the more early this is diagnosed, the more chances are there to get this treated completely. Dr Chandan K Das explains the diagnosis of colorectal cancer:

1.Blood in the stools may be an alarm sign. It may be apparent to the naked eye or by laboratory stool analysis.

2.Endoscopy is an examination in which an illuminated tube is passed into the intestine through the anus. It allows the inside of the gut to be seen. It is called a rectal tumour. When a tumour is located within 15 cm of the anus, it is considered to be a colon tumour.

3.Special radiological tests also help to visualise the tumour’s location and scale.

4.In selected cases, blood sampling searching for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a tumour marker may be useful.

5.Only laboratory examination of the affected tumour and tissues (histopathology) provides evidence of the diagnosis.

How is Colorectal Cancer treated?

Dr Ganesh Nagarajan explains that "Treatment of this cancer is a Multi-modality approach. Surgery, Chemotherapy, and Radiation therapy are used in combination depending upon the stage of the disease. Like laparoscopically, robotically and minimally invasive surgery is done where recovery is early, and hospitalisation is reduced. Laparoscopic surgery is done in colonic cancer to perform Right and Left Hemicolectomy. In cancers, involving the Rectosigmoid colon, Robotic surgery is useful since the magnification and range of motion available with robotic technology help to resect tumours in the pelvis with ease."

"In many cases of Rectal cancer, radiation therapy is proven very effective in reducing tumour load and ensuring surgery safety and reducing recurrence. It has also helped organ preservation and reduced patients' number requiring a permanent colostomy (stool bag). In general, colorectal cancers have better outcomes than many other abdominal tumours, even in metastatic settings.” 

How can colorectal cancer be prevented?

Colorectal cancer is related to lifestyle. An active and healthy lifestyle with Indian foods rich in fibre is always recommended. Any symptoms related to this need to be investigated to detect cancer early, treat it in the right way, and to decrease morbidity. Individuals are suggested to have a colonoscopy or any other cancer screening after 50, which acts as a preventive measure. Colorectal cancer survivors need to be in a regular follow-up for five years to detect recurrence early and treat.

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