Colorectal Carcinoma Flashcards
What is it?
Cancer of the colon and rectum
What kind of cancer usually causes it?
It is usually adenocarcinoma of the glandular epithelium
Where does it occur?
27% occurs in the rectum, 20% in the sigmoid and the rest throughout the colon
Is it common?
It is the 3rd most common cancer and 2nd most common cause of cancer death
Who is affected?
86% of cases are in patients above the age of 60, affects more males
Risk factors
Neoplastic polyps, IBD, Genes (FAP and HNPCC), Low fibre and high red meat diet, alcohol excess, smoking, previous cancer
Symptoms (10)
*depends on the site, PR bleeding, mucus, altered bowel habit, bowel obstruction, tenesmus, weight loss, low Hb, abdominal pain, anorexia, fatigue
Signs (4)
Abdominal/PR mass, perforation, haemorrhage, fistula
Differentials (5)
IBS, IBD, Coeliac, Gastroenteritis, Obstructed bowel
Investigations(10)
Urgent 2 week wait colonscopy, FBC (microcytic anaemia), LFT, Faecul occult blood, CT, MRI, Sigmoidoscopy, barium enema, liver ultrasound, Gene testing
How does colorectal cancer spread?
Locally, lymphatic, haemorrhagically, transcoloaemic (across walls)
What staging does colorectal cancer use?
TNM
What is grade a?
limited to the muscularis mucosa
What is grade B?
extension through the muscularis mucosa
What is grade c?
Involvement of regional lymph nodes
