Colon CancerColon Cancer

Daniel .GDaniel .G

What is the ColonWhat is the Colon The Colon comprises the end The Colon comprises the end

of the long, coiled, tubular of the long, coiled, tubular digestive tract located in the digestive tract located in the Abdomen.Abdomen.

It basically acts as a waste It basically acts as a waste processorprocessor

Takes digested food in the Takes digested food in the form of Solid waste pushing form of Solid waste pushing it out of the rectum and anusit out of the rectum and anus

The Colorectal tube is a The Colorectal tube is a prime location for the prime location for the development and growth of development and growth of small polyps or tumorssmall polyps or tumors

Colon; The Cancer Its SelfColon; The Cancer Its Self

It starts with a simple cell It starts with a simple cell that mutates and grows that mutates and grows into a polypsinto a polyps

If a polyp is allowed to If a polyp is allowed to remain in the colon it can remain in the colon it can grow into a cancerous grow into a cancerous tumor that can invade tumor that can invade other organs. other organs.

Colon cancer is the Colon cancer is the second leading cause of second leading cause of cancer deathscancer deaths

Stages of Colon CancerStages of Colon Cancer

Stage 0-Stage 0- In Stage 0, the cancer is at a very early stage and In Stage 0, the cancer is at a very early stage and

is located only in the inner lining of the colon. is located only in the inner lining of the colon. The recommended treatment for Stage 0 colon The recommended treatment for Stage 0 colon cancer is surgical removal of the tumor, along cancer is surgical removal of the tumor, along with parts of the colon on either side of the with parts of the colon on either side of the tumor site. If detected early, colon cancer is tumor site. If detected early, colon cancer is highly curable and has a low risk for recurrence.highly curable and has a low risk for recurrence.

Stages of Colon Cancer (continued)Stages of Colon Cancer (continued)

Stage 1-Stage 1- in this stage, the cancer has grown through in this stage, the cancer has grown through

several layers of the colon, but is still confined to several layers of the colon, but is still confined to the wall of the colon. It has not spread to nearby the wall of the colon. It has not spread to nearby organs as yet. Surgery is the recommended organs as yet. Surgery is the recommended treatment at Stage I. Stage I is also highly treatment at Stage I. Stage I is also highly curable, with a low risk for recurrence.curable, with a low risk for recurrence.

Stages of Colon Cancer (continued)Stages of Colon Cancer (continued)

Stage 2- Stage 2- In Stage II, the cancer has spread (metastases) to nearby In Stage II, the cancer has spread (metastases) to nearby

organs or tissues, but not to the lymph nodes. Lymph organs or tissues, but not to the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures where cells are nodes are small, bean-shaped structures where cells are stored; nodes can trap cancer cells or bacteria traveling stored; nodes can trap cancer cells or bacteria traveling through the body. The recommended treatment for through the body. The recommended treatment for Stage II is surgical removal of the tumor. Adjuvant Stage II is surgical removal of the tumor. Adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy and radiation therapy) is also therapy (chemotherapy and radiation therapy) is also suggested for Stage II patients with recurrences.suggested for Stage II patients with recurrences.

Stages of Colon Cancer (continued)Stages of Colon Cancer (continued)

Stage 3-Stage 3- In this stage, the cancer has spread outside the large In this stage, the cancer has spread outside the large

intestine to regional lymph nodes, but not to other intestine to regional lymph nodes, but not to other body parts. Treatment for Stage III colon cancer body parts. Treatment for Stage III colon cancer includes surgical removal of a section of the colon and includes surgical removal of a section of the colon and rejoining the remaining ends (anastomosis). Surgery is rejoining the remaining ends (anastomosis). Surgery is usually followed by chemotherapy. Studies have shown usually followed by chemotherapy. Studies have shown that the number of lymph nodes involved affects the that the number of lymph nodes involved affects the outcome. Patients with 1-3 nodes involved have outcome. Patients with 1-3 nodes involved have significantly greater survival rates than those with 4 or significantly greater survival rates than those with 4 or more nodes involved.more nodes involved.

Stages of Colon Cancer (continued)Stages of Colon Cancer (continued)

Stage 4-Stage 4- Stage IV is the most advanced stage of colon cancer. Stage IV is the most advanced stage of colon cancer.

The cancer has spread beyond the colon, rectum or The cancer has spread beyond the colon, rectum or regional lymph nodes to distant organs or tissue (such regional lymph nodes to distant organs or tissue (such as liver, ovaries and lungs). Although cancer is not as liver, ovaries and lungs). Although cancer is not usually curable at this stage, surgery is still the usually curable at this stage, surgery is still the recommended treatment. Surgical resection of the recommended treatment. Surgical resection of the colon and reconnection of the large intestine is done so colon and reconnection of the large intestine is done so as to blockage of the colon and any other local as to blockage of the colon and any other local complications. Chemotherapy and/or radiation are complications. Chemotherapy and/or radiation are generally given for palliative purposes.generally given for palliative purposes.

Risk FactorsRisk Factors

It can occur at any age but mostly above 45 years of It can occur at any age but mostly above 45 years of ageage

Have some type of Polyps( even though it is non-Have some type of Polyps( even though it is non-cancerous)cancerous)

Have had some other type of CancerHave had some other type of Cancer A blood relative with Colon Cancer esp. A Parent or a A blood relative with Colon Cancer esp. A Parent or a

Sibling.Sibling. Have an inflammatory diseaseHave an inflammatory disease Have a diet low in fiber and high in fatsHave a diet low in fiber and high in fats

Risk Factors (continued)Risk Factors (continued)

If you eat a lot of animal sourcesIf you eat a lot of animal sources If your not physically activeIf your not physically active Or ObeseOr Obese

Symptoms of Colon CancerSymptoms of Colon Cancer

Persistent ConstipationPersistent Constipation DiarrheaDiarrhea Blood in the StoolBlood in the Stool And Unexplained And Unexplained

FatigueFatigue Abdominal massAbdominal mass GI obstructionGI obstruction

InvestigationsInvestigations

CBC, APC gene testCBC, APC gene test Occult fecal blood testOccult fecal blood test U/SU/S X-rayX-ray CT-scanCT-scan ColonoscopyColonoscopy

The Difference between a Normal The Difference between a Normal Colon and a Colon with CancerColon and a Colon with Cancer

The Difference between a Normal The Difference between a Normal Colon and a Colon with Cancer Colon and a Colon with Cancer

(Continued)(Continued) The Colon on the Left is a normal Colon and the The Colon on the Left is a normal Colon and the

Colon on the right is a Colon with Cancer.Colon on the right is a Colon with Cancer. You can see the difference of the twoYou can see the difference of the two The normal Colon has a bigger opening and the Colon The normal Colon has a bigger opening and the Colon

with cancer has a small openingwith cancer has a small opening There is also a difference in color. The normal Colon is There is also a difference in color. The normal Colon is

more yellowish and the Colon with cancer is more more yellowish and the Colon with cancer is more tanish.tanish.

Notice that the Colon with cancer has more veins and Notice that the Colon with cancer has more veins and the normal Colon has fewerthe normal Colon has fewer

SurgerySurgery

Surgery or "resection" of the colon involves cutting Surgery or "resection" of the colon involves cutting away the portion of the colon that is diseased, and away the portion of the colon that is diseased, and reconnecting the two healthy parts (anastomosis).reconnecting the two healthy parts (anastomosis).

In a small percentage of patients with colon cancer In a small percentage of patients with colon cancer (about 15 percent) the surgeon will be unable to (about 15 percent) the surgeon will be unable to reconnect the healthy parts. In such a case, a temporary reconnect the healthy parts. In such a case, a temporary or permanent colostomy is used. A colostomy is a or permanent colostomy is used. A colostomy is a surgical opening (stoma) through the wall of the surgical opening (stoma) through the wall of the abdomen into the colon, which provides a new path for abdomen into the colon, which provides a new path for waste material to leave the body. A special bag is worn waste material to leave the body. A special bag is worn to collect the body's waste. to collect the body's waste.

Adjuvant therapyAdjuvant therapy

Chemo therapyChemo therapy RadiotherapyRadiotherapy

PalliationPalliation

RadiotherapyRadiotherapy IntubationIntubation

Colon Cancer PreventionsColon Cancer Preventions

Colon cancer can be Colon cancer can be prevented and cured prevented and cured through early detectionthrough early detection

Changing your eating Changing your eating habits( more fiber and habits( more fiber and less fats)less fats)

Don’t smoke and drink Don’t smoke and drink lessless

Future ResearchFuture Research

You may have heard that You may have heard that taking aspirin prevents taking aspirin prevents colon cancer. This is an colon cancer. This is an exciting area of research, exciting area of research, and studies are currently and studies are currently underway to evaluate underway to evaluate whether aspirin can whether aspirin can prevent the recurrence of prevent the recurrence of precancerous colon precancerous colon polyps. polyps.

Colon Cancer Deaths Colon Cancer Deaths

Approximately 6% of Americans will develop Approximately 6% of Americans will develop colon cancer and 40% of those will die of the colon cancer and 40% of those will die of the diseasedisease

There are about 134,000 new cases and 55,000 There are about 134,000 new cases and 55,000 deaths occur annuallydeaths occur annually

90% of deaths are over people 45 years old90% of deaths are over people 45 years old

THE ENDTHE END