Many people neglect their own health. They rarely seek medical help when there are already serious violations in the body. Quite often they are already irreversible and cannot be treated. That is why you need to take care of your health and listen to every alarm. For example, bloating and a lack of appetite may indicate colon cancer. What is this disease?
Medical certificate
Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled division and the formation of abnormal cells. In a healthy body, old elements die off and are replaced by new ones. This process is controlled by genes that are located in the nuclei of cells. In the case of a mutation or under the influence of aggressive external factors, a malfunction occurs in the debugged system. The process of replacing old cellular elements with new ones is disrupted. The body begins to produce more cells than required, forming a tumor formation.
Colon cancer develops gradually. It may take several years when polyps begin to form on the mucous membrane of the organ. From the moment of their appearance, these growths are absolutely harmless until the process of their malignancy begins. This transformation is due to genetic mutations. There are a large number of types of polyps, but only one can grow into a cancerous tumor - an adenomatous polyp. As the disease progresses, the neoplasm increases in size, growing in the intestinal wall and neighboring organs. Malignant elements can spread along with the blood stream throughout the body. This phenomenon is called metastasis.
Some statistics
Colon cancer or colorectal cancer is a common pathology. To realize all its danger, just look at the statistics.
About 600 thousand cases of this disease are detected annually around the world. In Russia, over the past quarter century, the number of patients has doubled. Pathology is common in developed countries and with a stable economic environment. This trend is explained very simply. With the development of technological innovations and an improvement in the quality of life, the physical activity of a person is reduced. On the other hand, the risk of obesity is increasing. These two factors directly affect the onset of the disease.
In the United Kingdom, about 15 thousand people die of cancer every year. In the United States, 145 thousand patients hear this diagnosis every year, about a third of cases are fatal. In Russia, colorectal cancer ranks fourth among all cancer pathologies. To date, 239 thousand patients live in our country. Each year, this figure is increasing by 50 thousand new cases.
However, such an unpleasant diagnosis is not a sentence. With the timely detection of the first symptoms of colon cancer and proper treatment, one can hope for a favorable outcome.
Main reasons
Doctors identify several reasons that contribute to the emergence of a pathological process. Among them, the following should be especially noted:
- hereditary predisposition;
- malnutrition;
- addictions;
- physical inactivity;
- digestion disorder;
- colon pathology;
- old age.
Only one factor from the above reasons should not be seen as a sentence. However, their combination can lead to a malignant process.
Scientists have for several years been studying the relationship of early colon cancer and nutrition. A deficiency in the diet of plant fiber and the abuse of meat products increases fatty acids, which ultimately leads to clogging of the body with carcinogens. As a result, these substances cause a mutation in the cellular elements at the gene level. The latter are then transformed into active oncogenes. The cell itself becomes tumorous. Studies show that in countries where the diet predominantly consists of plant foods, the incidence of cancer is low.
Chronic pathologies of the large intestine also contribute to the formation of malignant tumors. The duration of the course of the disease directly affects the likelihood of cancer. The greatest danger is ulcerative colitis, and the least - Crohn's disease.
Varieties of oncopathology
Colon cancer classification is based on various symptoms and parameters. The disease is divided into types according to the cellular structure of the tumor and the nature of the course. Determining the exact diagnosis helps determine the most appropriate treatment option.
According to the nature of growth, the disease is divided into the following forms:
- Exophytic. Cancer cells grow in the lumen of an organ.
- Endophytic. The neoplasm grows into the intestinal membrane.
- Saucerous. This form of the disease combines the two previous ones.
In addition, four stages of colon cancer are distinguished. Each of them characterizes the degree, localization of pathology and metastases. We will dwell on this issue in more detail below.
Stages of colon cancer
The disease always develops gradually. At first, the pathological focus is localized on the walls of the intestine, but after some time it can spread to neighboring systems. It is important to notice the early stage of colon cancer so that the recommended treatment is as effective as possible. In modern medicine, the following classification of the disease is used:
- First stage. At this stage, the tumor is localized on the mucous organ.
- Second stage A. Neoplasm accounts for less than half the diameter of the intestinal lumen. It does not go beyond it and does not grow into the walls. The presence of metastases in the lymph nodes is not observed.
- The second stage B. The tumor does not increase, but begins to grow into the wall of the organ.
- Third stage A. The neoplasm is gradually growing and already occupies more than half the diameter of the intestinal lumen.
- The third stage B. The pathological process is supplemented by the appearance of metastases in the lymph nodes.
- Fourth stage. The tumor grows in adjacent organs and soft tissues. Many metastases are detected, most of which are single. In the absence of serious therapy, death occurs.
It is not possible to determine the stage of colon cancer solely by symptoms. This requires a comprehensive examination of the body, a biopsy of the pathological focus.
The first symptoms of the disease
At the initial stages of development, the disease does not manifest itself. The first symptoms appear as it progresses. Most patients report the following health problems:
- discomfort in the abdomen;
- lack of appetite and sudden weight loss;
- acute intestinal obstruction;
- weakness, fatigue;
- temperature rise;
- impurities of blood in the stool;
- rumbling in the stomach.
An increase in the size of the neoplasm significantly changes the clinical picture. To the listed symptoms of colon cancer are added dizziness, tachycardia, loss of consciousness.
Diagnostic Methods
Any disease, including cancer, is easier to treat at the initial stage. Therefore, it is very important to undergo routine examinations in a timely manner, do not forget to visit a gastroenterologist and take a fecal occult blood test. With age, such examinations are recommended to be done every three years.
Modern medicine has in its arsenal the necessary equipment to diagnose an ailment at the initial stage of development. If you have symptoms of colon cancer in the early stages, you should immediately contact your doctor. First you need to visit a therapist, and then consult a gastroenterologist and oncologist. If cancer is suspected, a standard patient examination consists of the following measures:
- The study of the anamnesis, complaints of the patient.
- Clinical blood test.
- Roentgenogram.
- Fecal occult blood test. In order to avoid a false-positive result, 3-4 days before the procedure, it is recommended to exclude eggs, fish and beets from the diet.
- Sigmoidoscopy. The examination implies a partial examination of the intestine using a special tube, which is inserted into the anus.
- Colonoscopy It resembles a sigmoidoscopy, but the tube in this case is equipped with a small camera. The image from it is transmitted to the computer screen.
- Irrigoscopy. The procedure resembles an X-ray examination, but before it begins, the intestines are filled through an enema with a special substance.
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs.
- Biopsy of the pathological focus. Tissue is taken from the tumor, which is subsequently examined in the laboratory for their malignancy.
After receiving the results of the examination, the doctor confirms or refutes the preliminary diagnosis. The specialist also selects the most effective option for treating colon cancer.
Surgical intervention
Surgery is the most effective method of eliminating a cancerous tumor. Radical intervention (partial colectomy or hemicolectomy) is prescribed by 90% of patients. During the operation, the doctor makes an incision on the abdominal wall. Sometimes laparoscopy is performed. It differs from traditional abdominal surgery in that deep incisions are not required. The specialist makes several punctures on the abdominal wall, through which he inserts surgical instruments and a small chamber. From it, the image is transmitted to the monitor, so that you can achieve high accuracy procedures and avoid the development of complications.
The recovery process after treatment is determined by the degree of surgical intervention. Adaptation can be divided into three conditional periods:
- the first 2 months - the work of the intestine is characterized by severe disorders;
- up to 4-6 months, the body continues to adapt to living conditions;
- up to 4-12 months, a period of stable recovery is maintained, which depends on the volume of the intervention.
After surgery, you need to visit a doctor twice a year. In the absence of recurrence of the disease, observation by specialized specialists remains lifelong with the mandatory passing of tests every 12 months. If necessary, an irrigoscopy or colonoscopy is carried out, additional consultations with a gynecologist or urologist.
Chemotherapy features
Colon cancer is treated with chemotherapy before or after surgery. The use of special drugs helps to reduce the size of the tumor, reduces the likelihood of metastases. If it is not possible to remove the neoplasm by surgery, chemotherapy can replace it. For this purpose, as a rule, the following medicines are used:
- "Capecitabine." This is a new drug used to inhibit intracellular metabolism and reduce the activity of oncological elements.
- Leucovorin. It is a type of folic acid. The tool is used to reduce side effects from chemotherapy, normalize physiological processes in cells.
- "Oxaliplatin." It is prescribed for inhibition of cancer cell genes.
How to restore health after chemotherapy? First of all, the attending physician must correctly select the drugs to reduce the likelihood of side effects. Usually they are manifested by vomiting, inflammation of the intestines, hair loss.
Many patients are admitted for treatment with severe renal impairment. If chemotherapy is prescribed without prior preparation, the risk of death is high. Therefore, such patients are preliminarily treated with hemosorption and other measures to restore renal function.
Restoring the body after a course of drugs is not required for all patients. If the doctor has correctly selected the drug and its dosage, the patient has been trained before treatment, then after him he will be discharged home.
Long-term recovery is necessary with serious changes in patients receiving chemotherapy and tumor tissue decay. These are the following disorders:
- hypochromic anemia;
- leukocytopenia or agranulocytosis;
- the development of thrombocytopenia.
The rehabilitation period takes place in a hospital setting in patients with diagnosed hepatitis in toxic form, myocardial damage, acute psychosis, suicidal tendencies.
The need for radiotherapy
After surgery, patients are often prescribed radiotherapy, which implies the use of x-rays. Its main goal is to destroy the elements remaining from the neoplasm and prevent the re-development of the disease.
They also resort to radiotherapy before surgery. In this case, the procedure allows to reduce the size of the tumor. Radiation therapy is often combined with chemotherapy. However, the final decision on the appropriateness of this approach remains with the attending physician.
Nutrition and Diet
For many patients, the diet for colon cancer before surgery and after it during chemotherapy does not require major changes. Other patients are developing a special diet with five meals a day to reduce side effects from the course of drugs.
As a rule, already exhausted patients enter medical facilities. They are diagnosed with a late stage of oncology, most of the body's functions are impaired, and there is cancer cachexia. They need to fill the deficit of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. If the patient, due to stenosis, cannot take food on his own, he is given enteral stents for parenteral nutrition. Only after normalization of metabolism they are prescribed a course of chemotherapy.
Possible complications
The initial symptoms of colon cancer cannot be ignored. If treatment is not started in time, the tumor may spread to other organs. As a result of this process, complications appear. Among them, the most common are peritonitis, phlegmon and abscess.
Any complication requires additional examination and appropriate treatment. With the advanced form of the disease, a combination of several pathologies is often observed, which only worsens the prognosis for recovery. To prevent the occurrence of negative consequences, it is necessary to diagnose colon cancer in a timely manner .
Prognosis for recovery
The prognosis of cancer survival is disappointing. A third of patients die. Even timely and competent treatment is not the key to a complete cure. It all depends on the size of the neoplasm, its exact location and the presence of metastases in other organs.
According to most doctors, the likelihood of relapse is possible only in the first 5 years after surgery. If this does not happen, the risk of re-development of the disease is reduced to almost zero.
Of course, the pathology stage, the number of affected lymph nodes affects the positive prognosis of survival in colon cancer. For example, at the initial stage and subject to timely treatment, about 74% of patients forget about oncology. The fourth stage has an unfavorable prognosis. In this case, the probability of survival is up to 6%.
With relapse, metastases, as a rule, affect the liver and lymph nodes.
Prevention Methods
Symptoms of colon cancer severely impair the patient's quality of life. A person cannot work, fully service himself. Unfortunately, recently this disease is diagnosed more and more often. Therefore, many are interested in how you can protect yourself from such a dangerous ailment. Doctors recommend following these guidelines:
- Periodically undergo a comprehensive examination of the body. The most informative is the analysis of occult blood in feces. Particular attention should be paid to it if the person is at risk.
- Timely treat various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract in order to prevent their transformation into a chronic form.
- Fully review your daily diet. Doctors around the world advise eating more plant foods, and reduce the amount of red meat consumed. It is necessary to include in the diet dishes that prevent constipation.
- Completely abandon addictions.
- Maintain a balance of vitamins and minerals in the body. If necessary, take multivitamin complexes twice a year.
- Engage in feasible sports, move more.
Compliance with these simple rules of prevention can prevent the development of any cancer, including colon cancer. In women, the symptoms of the disease practically do not differ from the manifestations of the disease in men. Therefore, advice on preventing the pathological process can be used by everyone.
Treatment of the disease with modern methods and in the early stages gives good results. Cancer cannot be defeated with pills, folk remedies or baths. Lost time as a result can cost a person life.