Colorectal (Bowel) Cancer Flashcards
What is the most common type of bowel cancer?
Adenocarcinoma
What are risk factors for bowel cancer?
- Neoplastic polyps
- IBD
- Genetics - FAP (familial adenomatous polyposis), HNPCC/Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer)
- Lifestyle - diet, alcohol, smoking
- Previous cancer
What are general symptoms of bowel cancer?
- Abdo mass
- Fistula
- Perforation
- Symptoms correlating with which part of large bowel affected
What are symptoms of left sided bowel cancer?
- PR bleeding/mucus
- PR mass
- Obstruction
- Change in bowel habit
What are symptoms of right sided bowel cancer?
- Abdo pain
- Weight loss
- Anaemia
What is a complication of bowel cancer?
Haemorrhage
What is the screening test done for bowel cancer?
Faecal occult blood test (FOB) ± colonscopy
Which age group gets screened for bowel cancer?
60-75 year olds every 2 years (home testing kit)
How do you diagnose bowel cancer?
- Colon/sigmoidoscopy
- CT colonography
What other investigations can be done in bowel cancer?
FBC, LFTs, U+E
What tumour marker is used to monitor bowel cancer?
CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen)
How do you curatively treat bowel cancer?
Surgery ± chemo (adjuvant, positive LNs)
What are surgery examples for bowel cancer?
- Hemicolectomy
- Abdomino-perineal resection
- Hartmann’s procedure
What is the difference between sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy?
Sigmoidoscopy lower and less invasive
What is palliative treatment for bowel cancer?
Surgery (endoscopic stenting, metastatic) ± chemo (adjuvant)
