What is Colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the colon and/or rectum. It is a common form of cancer that affects both men and women, especially in their older ages. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide and is the third most common type of cancer seen globally. Early detection and treatment is necessary to cure this cancer.

Colorectal cancer is characterised by an uncontrolled growth of cells in the lining of the colon or rectum. This affects the body through various symptoms, including:

• Change in bowel habits
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Blood in stools
• Mucous discharge
• A feeling that the bowels are not properly empty following a bowel movement
• Bloating, pain and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen
• Sudden weight loss
• Fatigue
• Unexplained anaemia

How is Colorectal cancer treated?

Treatment of colorectal cancer depends on various factors, such as the stage, location and size of the cancer and the age and overall health of the patient. Treatment options general include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are given before surgery in advanced cancers to downstage the disease. If the disease is not advanced, surgery is the main option followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.

The doctor will recommend surgery if the colorectal cancer is in its early stages. Before undergoing surgery, the patient will be placed on a special diet and also given enemas and laxatives to clear out the colon and rectum. There are a few techniques are used in colorectal cancer surgery.

Polypectomy and local excision: Polypectomy is used in early-stage colorectal cancer where a polyp has turned cancerous in a small area without affecting the adjacent areas. A long flexible tube fitted with specialised surgical tools is inserted into the patient’s colon. It is used to cut polyps off the colon wall.

Colectomy: This procedure involves removing a part of or the entire colon along with its surrounding lymph nodes. This is performed through open procedure where an incision is made in the patient’s abdomen or through a minimally-invasive procedure where a laparoscope is used.

Anterior resection: This involves the removal of part of the rectum and proximal colon after which the remaining colon is joined with the remaining rectum. This is usually performed for rectal cancers and can be performed either through open procedure or laparoscopy.

Abdominoperineal resection: This involves removal of the entire rectum up to the anal canal and some length of the proximal colon. This is usually done in cases of lower rectal cancers when sphincters cannot be saved. Abdominoperineal resection can be performed either through open procedure or laparoscopic techniques.