Advances in treatments have made it possible to improve the lives of patients with colon and rectal cancer
The colon and rectal cancer (colorectal cancer) is the second most common tumor type in women (after breast cancer) and in men (after prostate cancer), as explained in the video by Dr. José Ignacio Martín Valadés, Head of the Multidisciplinary Unit for Digestive Tumors from MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid.
The causes of colorectal cancer are unknown, but there are some known risk factors that can increase the chances of developing it:
- The hereditary factors (relatives), which account for 5-15% of colorectal cancer cases.
- The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. These pathologies are predisposing and can increase the probability of developing colon and rectal cancer by up to 30%.
- The presence of adenomatous polyps (gland-like masses that develop in the mucous membrane that lines the large intestine). Their probability of turning into tumors is 5%.
- Environmental factors related to lifestyle, the control of which could prevent up to 45% of the cases of colon and rectal cancer diagnosed each year ”, says Dr. Martín Valadés. Among them, it is worth highlighting:
- Eat a diet low in fruits, vegetables and fiber and / or rich in red and processed meats
- Not getting enough physical exercise.
- Smoking.
- The alcohol.
- The obesity
Early detection of colon and rectal cancer
Colon and rectal cancer may have no symptoms or they may be very nonspecific, such as fatigue or abdominal pain. For this reason, there are screening tests to favor the early detection of the disease. In fact, these diagnostic techniques allow detecting the disease in its premalignant phase, by identifying the presence of adenomatous polyps that can be removed.
Thus, in the general population, without hereditary or predisposing factors, screening is recommended. from 50 years with a fecal occult blood test. It is a non-invasive test that allows the detection of presence of blood in the stool. It is carried out annually or biannually.
In any case, «with a positive fecal occult blood test, it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis with a colonoscopy«, Explains Dr. Martín Valadés.
Multidisciplinary treatment
Different specialists are involved in the treatment of colon and rectal cancer.
In early stages, it is necessary to surgery to remove the segment of the colon where the tumor is located. Afterwards, the chemotherapy.
However, in rectal tumors, it may be necessary combine chemo with radiation therapy before the surgery.
Every situation is different; hence the importance of a multidisciplinary treatment ”, clarifies the head of the Multidisciplinary Unit for Digestive Tumors at MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid.
Dr. Martín Valadés concludes his explanation by indicating what type of treatments are usually necessary in cases of more advanced stage tumors. Watch the video to learn more about it.
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