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Colon and Rectal Cancer
Overview
Below is some cursory information on the traditional treatments of colon cancer. For an extensive review of all currently available modalities in the U.S. and abroad, including non-traditional therapies, please visit my section on the Moss Reports. Colorectal
cancer affected just over 130,000 people in 1997.
At that time there were approximately 94,000 cases of colon
cancer and approximately 37,000 cases of rectal cancer.
There has been a slight decline among whites, possibly due to
early screening.
In 1997 approximately 55,000 deaths occurred due to colorectal
cancer; 47,000 deaths from colon cancer and just over 8,000 from rectal
cancer.
Mortality has declined 32% for women and 14% for men.
Unfortunately the mortality rate among African-Americans is
unchanged. The
decline in mortality may be due to earlier detection via sigmoidoscopy
and polyp removal (polyps often progress into cancer and can be detected
with a sigmoidosocope).
Polyp is a term that means an inward projection from the normal
smooth lining of the bowel.
Doctors divide polyps into two types: neoplastic and non-neoplastic.
Neoplastic polyps are the ones most likely to develop into
cancers. Risk
factors for colorectal cancer include a personal or family history of
colorectal cancer or polyps, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Other risk factors include a sedentary life-style (not enough
exercise) high fat/low fiber diet and inadequate ingestion of fruits and
vegetables.
As
with all cancer, early detection is one of the most significant
predictors of survival.
The American Cancer Society recommends digital rectal exams,
fecal occult blood loss, and sigmoidoscopy as screening measures.
A digital rectal exam is performed during a routine office visit
and is recommended annually after age 40.
Occult fecal blood loss is detected from a fecal sample obtained
by the patient at home and brought to the office or lab.
The American Cancer Society recommends stool sample testing for
person over 50.
Also recommended for persons over 50 is flexible sigmoidoscopy
every 3 to 5 years.
When any suspicious signs or symptoms are encountered, further
testing via colonoscopy or double contrast barium enema (DCBE) may be
ordered.
Patients
should also be alert for possible problems that could indicate
colorectal cancer.
These signs and symptoms include: change in bowel habits,
diarrhea, constipation or a sense that the bowel is not empty, blood
(either bright red, or dark) in the stool, stools that are narrower than
usual, general abdominal discomfort, weight loss for no apparent reason,
constant tiredness and vomiting.
The
most common treatment for colorectal cancer is surgery.
Usually this involves the removal of the primary tumor, part of
the healthy colon or rectum, and nearby lymph nodes.
Sometimes a temporary colostomy is required.
Around 15% of the time, a permanent colostomy is the only option.
Chemotherapy
is employed at various times, especially in later stages of colorectal
cancer.
Radiation is also employed at times, even in early stages of
rectal cancer.
The
one-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is 82%.
The five-year survival rate is 61%.
When the cancer is detected very early the 5-year survival rate
climbs to 91%, but less than 40% of colorectal cancers are discovered at
this stage.
The 10 year survival rate overall is 50%.
The
materials used in this article drew heavily from two sources American
Cancer Society. (1997) Cancer Facts and Figures-1997.
Available by calling 800-ACS-2345 or online at http://www.cancer.org/
National
Cancer Institute (1999). What You Need to Know about Colon and Rectal
Cancer. 1-800-4CANCER or online at http://www.cancernet.nci.nih.gov/wyntk_pubs/colon.htm Back to Alternative Cancer Treatments HomePage
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"Alternative Cancer Treatments"
Michael Guthrie,
R.Ph. CGP 2003-2006
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