What is colon cancer. Colon cancer

Large intestine - lower part digestive tract, responsible for the absorption of water and the formation of feces. This section of the intestine is divided into the colon (ascending, transverse and descending), sigmoid and rectum.

Colon cancer is a low-quality tumor, which is a polyetiological disease with many causes. The disease develops from the mucous cells of the inner epithelial tissue of the large intestine.

In Russia, according to statistics, over 50 thousand new cases of the disease are registered every year. In men over 50 years of age, the pathology is diagnosed 1.5 times more often than in women. The disease can also affect younger organisms, since late detection is observed in 70% of patients. The disease is detected in stages 3-4 of development.

Causes of pathology

Colon cancer is not a new disease, but it is spreading rapidly. Many years of research by scientists and analysis of the disease have made it possible to identify the most significant causes that increase the degree of development of the disease in the body:

• Genetic predisposition, including a hereditary mutation in the APC gene, which is responsible for the constancy of the number of cells in tissues and the adequacy of the reactions of these cells. Disturbances in it trigger the process of tissue proliferation, including the appearance of familial adenomatous polyposis. With this disease, the risk of acquiring a colon tumor by age 40 is 90%.
• Precancerous diseases are pathological changes in organ tissues that precede the formation of a malignant tumor, but do not always develop into it. In normal condition, the mucous tissue of the intestinal walls is constantly renewed, thanks to beneficial microflora. If any pathologies or abnormalities occur, this process is disrupted, and lump-like growths (polyps) form on the walls of the organ. In the future, they can degenerate into malignant neoplasms.

Minor factors that increase the chances of developing colon cancer include:

• age – foci of cancer activity in people over 50 years of age are recorded much more often;
• inflammatory processes;
• nutrition;
• bad habits;
• physical inactivity (sedentary lifestyle).

Inflammatory processes

Diseases accompanied by severe, prolonged inflammation in the colon have a detrimental effect on the microflora of the organ. The cells of the mucous tissue gradually change their structure and properties, degenerate, and scars or ulcers appear. Over time, neoplasms can trigger the onset of colon cancer, growing and transforming into deadly tumor cells.

Nutrition

Scientists have proven that a daily menu consisting of foods with a large amount of proteins, fats and a minimum content of plant fiber several times increases the likelihood of developing malignant tumors. This is directly affected by carcinogenic substances. They are formed under the influence of microorganisms that break down the remains of food that enters the intestines.

Under the influence of microscopic bacteria, multiple reactions occur in the organ: phenols, nitrosamines are formed, ammonia is released, etc. Including primary bile acids, bacteria are converted into secondary ones. They are the ideal basis for the development of cancer cells in the large intestine. The concentration of these acids depends on the food consumed by a person. Accordingly, the more “wrong” foods are on the menu, the higher the concentration of secondary acids and the risk of cancer cell formation.

Bad habits

According to statistics, cases of colon cancer are recorded 30% more often in chronic smokers than in non-smokers. During smoking, in addition to nicotine, deposits in the lung tissue a large number of toxic resins and carcinogenic substances. They enter the blood and spread throughout the body, reaching all organs and tissues. These substances have a detrimental effect on the entire life support system as a whole and can trigger the development of cancer in any organ, not just in the large intestine.

Abuse of alcoholic beverages leads to the formation of toxic substances in the liver, which does not have time to remove them and they enter the large intestine. Their frequent impact on normal cells of the colon transforms the latter into cancer cells, and also has a detrimental effect on the condition of the intestinal mucous tissue itself, irritating it and disrupting its renewal.

Physical inactivity

People with insufficient physical activity are more at risk of developing cancer cells in the colon. This is explained by the fact that low mobility disrupts normal peristalsis and tone of the muscle tissue of the organ. This leads to stagnation of food, impaired formation of feces, frequent constipation, changes the intestinal microflora and, as a result, leads to multiple complications.

Types of malignant tumors

There are several forms of cancer:

• exophytic - the tumor appears on the inner walls of the intestine and, gradually increasing, blocks its passage;
• endophytic - the tumor grows in the thickness of the walls of the organ, damaging it;
• mixed (saucer-shaped) - an ulcerative neoplasm with signs of exophytic and endophytic forms.

By cellular structure they are divided into:

• mucious (mucosal) adenocarcinoma - a neoplasm developing from glandular cells of an organ;
• mucocellular (ring cell) type is an intensively growing neoplasm that damages the mucous walls of the organ in a very limited amount, which complicates its diagnosis.

The most common type of colon cancer is adenocarcinoma. It occurs in 80% of cases. The mucocellular type occurs exclusively in older people. Most often it is detected with metastases that penetrate not only the intestines, but also other organs.

Colon cancer is often called colorectal cancer. This does not apply to any form of the disease. This concept refers to a complex of cancerous tumors of the rectum, sigmoid and colon.

Colon cancer stages

According to established standards, all malignant neoplasms are divided into four groups:

1. Stage I - cancer cells affect the outer layer of the mucous tissue, partially affecting its submucosal layer.
2. Stage II - has two subtypes: IIa - cancer cells affect less than half the circumference of the organ wall; IIb – the tumor affects less than half the circumference of the organ wall, but is already beginning to grow deeper into it. There are no regional metastases in both subtypes.
3. Stage III - also has two subtypes: IIIa - cells affect more than half the circumference of the intestinal wall, growing through its thickness. There are no regional metastases; IIIb – the tumor grows through the thickness of the intestinal wall. Cancer metastases are detected in isolated cases.
4. Stage IV – a tumor that is extensive in localization, giving metastases to neighboring organs and regional lymph nodes.

Currently, for a more accurate classification of colorectal cancer in medicine, an additional TNM classification system for malignant tumors is used. Each letter corresponds to a specific characteristic of the neoplasm:

T-prevalence, area of ​​localization of the first tumor:

• T0 – no malignant formation was detected;
• Tis – tumor cells were detected in the mucous membrane of the organ;
• T1 – the tumor has begun to spread further. Cancer cells at this stage affect the submucosa of the colon, sigmoid or rectum with collagen and reticular connective fibers;
• T2 – malignant lesions are present in the muscle tissue surrounding the intestines. The penultimate stage, after which the risk of cancer cells damaging neighboring organs and lymph nodes increases;
• T3 – the tumor extends through all layers of the colon. The chances of rapid formation of new foci of cancer due to the spread of metastases are very high;
• T4 is the stage at which it is recorded that malignant cells move to neighboring tissues and organs and form new foci there.

N – condition located next to the neoplasm of the peripheral organs of the lymphatic system, the presence of metastases in them:

• N0 – adjacent lymph nodes are not affected by malignant cells;
• N1 – metastases were found in 1, 2, 3 – no more than regional lymph nodes;
• N2 – cancer foci were detected in 4 or more lymph nodes.

M – presence and nature of spread of cancer foci in distant organs.

• M0 – no malignant cells were found in distant organs;
• M1 – malignant cells are present in distant organs.

All these indicators and stages of colon cancer help to establish the severity of the disease, identify foci and the direction of spread of malignant cells in the body and determine a preliminary picture of the necessary treatment.

Symptoms and clinical manifestations

At the very beginning of the disease, the tumor may not show itself and grow asymptomatically. As its size increases, characteristic signs of the disease become apparent, depending on the type of cancer and its location. All of them are divided into general and local. The former are characterized by disturbances in the functioning of the organs and life support systems of the body, while the latter are characterized by pain and discomfort in the abdominal area.

Cancer is a disease of the colon that negatively affects the functioning of other organs, which reflects the general symptoms of the disease. This condition is characterized by a number of specific pathologies.

Anemia (anemia)

The level of hemoglobin in the blood sharply decreases, due to a simultaneous decrease in the concentration of red blood cells. This occurs because advanced colon cancer disrupts the natural bowel movements. The mucous membrane of the organ stops absorbing the microelements necessary for the formation of red blood cells: iron and vitamin B12.

Anemia is expressed by general weakness, malaise, and sudden dizziness. Changes and appearance patient: the skin turns pale and begins to peel off. Hair becomes dull and brittle, and nails become weak and brittle.

Sudden weight loss, refusal to eat

Rapidly multiplying and increasing in volume, cancer cells deplete all reserves of the human body. Digestion of food is a physiological process that requires a lot of energy and strength, which we don’t have. Therefore, patients with colon cancer often refuse to eat and quickly lose weight.

As for sudden weight loss, it is also characteristic of the disease in the later stages of development. The disrupted structure of the mucous membrane changes: it degenerates and transforms into cancer cells that are not able to absorb the necessary substances and microelements that are vital for the entire body. At first, experiencing a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, he extracts them from reserve reserves, but eventually they run out.

The manifestation of general symptoms depends on the location of the tumor. The presence of cancer in the final section of the large intestine, which is small in size, manifests itself much faster. Rising part colon much wider, so tumor growth for a long time goes unnoticed. When an overgrown tumor begins to compress the walls of the organ, the disease manifests itself in a number of local symptoms.

Pain and discomfort in the abdominal area

Malignant cancer cells disrupt the intestinal microflora, killing beneficial bacteria. A person feels mild pain, bloating, heaviness and fullness in the stomach, and suffers from increased gas formation. Along with this, the stool is disrupted: frequent constipation or diarrhea occurs. In a short time, a malignant formation can partially or completely block the lumen of the intestinal tube and provoke.

Blood in stool

This symptom is characteristic of the development of cancer of the rectum and sigmoid colon. Clots of blood, mucus, and pus can be seen in the stool. At the same time, they seem to envelop the feces. And if the neoplasm is located in the initial parts of the colon, then the blood mixes directly with the feces and has a dark burgundy color.

The patient may also experience sharp pain during bowel movements. In cases of tumor spread along the walls of the organ, they lose their mobility and ability to contract, become thick, narrowing the lumen of the intestinal tube. As a result, the patient experiences ribbon-like bowel movements due to the passages narrowed by the tumor.

Depending on the clinical symptoms accompanying colon cancer, several types of tumors are distinguished:

• toxic-anemic - general symptoms dominate in patients: increased body temperature, hypochromia (anemia due to lack of hemoglobin);
• enterocolitic - intestinal disorders predominate, contributing to the occurrence of malignant tumors: colitis, enteritis, enterocolitis, dysentery;
• dyspeptic – the patient experiences symptoms characteristic of gastritis, stomach ulcers, cholecystitis;
• obstructive – progressive intestinal obstruction;
• pseudoinflammatory – the patient has signs of severe inflammation in the organs abdominal cavity, severe pain (sharp with temporary intervals of relief or constant, aching, passing for a short period of time);
• atypical - the neoplasm is detected by palpation against the background of a favorable clinical picture.

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnosis of colon cancer consists of several stages. This makes it possible to identify symptoms that are critical to health, which may indicate poor health and favorable conditions for tumor growth (for example, the presence of polyps in an organ), and to detect cancerous foci already existing in the body, even in the absence of complaints from the patient.

When making a diagnosis, the doctor receives valuable information during the following procedures:

• palpation examination of the rectum, abdomen;
• endoscopic examinations;
• X-ray examinations;
• testing for tumor markers (genetic examination);
• general laboratory tests;
• MSCT of the abdominal cavity.

Palpation examination of the colon, abdomen

With this type of examination, the specialist first palpates the surface of the abdominal area in different directions to determine the properties of the abdominal walls (tension, sensitivity). Then he moves on to deeper palpation of the organs. When examining the intestine, a specialist determines whether it corresponds to normal parameters in terms of diameter, wall density and elasticity, determines the presence or absence of peristalsis, as well as pain in response to palpation of the walls.

To carry out the procedure, the patient takes a body position that is convenient for the doctor: lies on his side and bends his knees, or takes a knee-elbow position. The specialist uses his index finger to examine the lower part of the colon for pathologies and defects.

This method of detecting colon cancer is painless and safe for the patient’s health. But with it it is impossible to detect microscopic polyps on the walls of the rectum, and also to examine the upper parts of the intestine.

Endoscopic examinations

These studies include:

1. Sigmoidoscopy - used to examine primarily the lower parts of the colon (to detect cancer of the rectum and sigmoid colon). A flexible sigmoidoscope with a microscopic diode light bulb at the end and magnifying optics is inserted into the anus, previously lubricated with a special gel. The examination reveals the presence of microscopic polyps and malignant tumors in the initial stages of development.
2. Colonoscopy - a flexible optical probe is inserted into the anus and gradually advanced along the entire length of the rectum, sigmoid and then colon. This helps to detect early stage organ cancer, polyps, colitis, etc. During the procedure, the image is displayed on the monitor and recorded. Questionable areas of the intestine are marked on the images with special markers. A specialist can also take tissue for analysis or remove microscopic tumors.

X-ray examinations

Includes a whole range of diagnostic procedures:

1. Barium enema - this substance is an excellent absorber of X-ray radiation. The liquid suspension is injected into the intestines using an enema and a series of X-ray images are taken. The substance is evenly distributed throughout the intestinal walls. The presence of any pathologies can be seen in the photographs. These are called "filling defects".
2. MRI – using magnetic radiation, a specialist takes a series of layer-by-layer images internal structure the patient's body. This method is most often used to determine the presence of metastases in distant organs.
3. Fluorography - chest x-ray. It is recommended that everyone, without exception, do it once a year. This procedure helps detect the presence of malignant cancer cells in the lungs. The intestine is an organ with an extensive blood supply and metastases through the bloodstream can spread very quickly throughout the body. In most cases, the lungs and respiratory system are the first to be affected.

Testing for tumor markers, genetic examination

Tumor markers are chemical compounds whose concentration in the biological fluid of the human body indicates the presence and growth of a malignant neoplasm. Genetic testing is mandatory in cases where the patient has relatives with colon cancer. These people are at risk because their bodies are more likely to have antigens that can cause normal cells to transform into cancer cells. The development process may begin with age. An unfavorable social and psychological environment, uncontrolled use of medications and self-medication of various diseases can also push genes into action.

General laboratory tests

At laboratory research The patient is required to undergo the following types of tests:

• general blood test - to identify existing anemia and the level of carcinoembryonic antigen;
• stool analysis - to detect in excrement hidden blood, clots of mucus or pus. The indicator is very indicative, since such a picture can be observed with hemorrhoids and;
• biopsy - if, during examination by a specialist, any neoplasm is detected, a microscopic piece is pinched off from it and sent to the laboratory to determine the nature of the tumor: malignant or benign. Tissue for examination is taken during colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

Ultrasound

During the procedure, the doctor displays a picture of the structure on the monitor internal organs obtained by exposure to ultrasonic waves. This examination helps to identify existing tumors, establish their size, location and development (for example, colon cancer with tumor growth through the intestinal wall).

MSCT of the abdominal cavity

Multislice computed tomography is an innovative technique with a small amount of radiation exposure to the human body and a short examination time. Using the procedure, 2- and 3-dimensional images of the intestine, abdominal vessels, and liver are recreated, which helps to assess the degree and extent of the malignant process.

When detecting colon cancer, any information that each method helps to obtain is important. But the most reliable is a biopsy - a microscopic examination of pieces of tumor tissue.

Features of treatment

The method of treating a malignant tumor for colon cancer is selected depending on its size, location, stage of development and general well-being of the patient. Today there are four approaches to organizing the treatment of cancer patients:

1. Surgical intervention.
2. Radiotherapy (radiation).
3. Chemotherapy.
4. Targeted or molecularly targeted therapy.

Surgery

Surgical operations are very effective in the initial stages of the disease: I, II and early III, when metastases have not yet been detected. The malignant formation is removed along with the affected tissues and regional lymph nodes to ensure complete postoperative remission.

For cancerous tumors of the large intestine, it is possible to perform both one-time and staged surgical operations. This includes:

• colectomy - removal of part of the colon affected by cancer cells;
• hemicolectomy - an operation to remove the colon (half of its total length);
• sigmodectomy – removal of part or all of the sigmoid colon;
• lymphadenectomy – removal of lymph nodes affected by cancer cells.

If a patient with rectal cancer needs to have it and the sphincter removed, surgery is performed in several stages: first, the tumor is removed, then a section of the rectum is brought out (colostomy). It can be temporary or permanent. In the first case, after 3-9 months, the surgically removed hole is closed, and the edges of the intestine are sutured. In the second case, patients will have to use special plastic bags (colostomy bags) throughout their lives. They are attached around the colostomy and changed regularly.

Modern equipment allows the use of endoscopic microsurgery to remove malignant tumors. This provides a gentle effect on the patient’s body. During the operation, the surgeon very precisely drains the tissue of the malignant tumor. According to statistics, this method of surgical intervention ensures low percentage relapses and quick discharge of the patient from the hospital (1 day of hospitalization, as opposed to 7 days of stay after conventional surgery - a large incision in the anterior abdominal wall).

Depending on the stage of development of colon cancer and the patient’s postoperative well-being, surgical treatment can be combined with radiation and chemotherapy sessions.

Radiotherapy (radiation)

The method is based on the action of X-rays that destroy malignant tumors. Radiation therapy is used before and after surgery. In the first case, to reduce the size of the existing tumor, in the second case, to destroy the remaining low-quality cells that could remain after excision of the affected tissue. Especially when preoperative studies showed the presence of cancerous foci in regional organs (in the pelvic area).

Chemotherapy

This method uses specialized medications. Chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer is prescribed to the patient in cases where the tumor has spread beyond the colon, and multiple foci of active cancer cells have appeared in regional and distant lymph nodes and organs. But chemotherapy can also be used immediately and before surgery to destroy microscopic tumor cells of colorectal cancer.

But most often this method is used in the postoperative period to prevent possible relapses. Medications are administered intravenously. Are used:

• fluorouracil – slows down the metabolism between cells, suppresses their activity;
• Capecitabine is an innovative chemotherapeutic agent. After being introduced into the body, it remains inactive until it finds the location of the tumor cells. As soon as it finds it, it is instantly converted into fluorouracil, which has a destructive effect.
• leucovorin - it is prescribed in conjunction with antitumor drugs. It is a derivative form folic acid, necessary for normal functioning body. Leucovorin reduces the harmful effects of chemotherapy on organs and tissues not damaged by cancer cells.
• Oxaliplatin is a platinum derivative, a drug that stops the multi-stage process of protein synthesis in tissues affected by tumor cells.

Pick up medicine and only the attending physician can calculate the required course of medication for colon cancer. At the same time, each patient needs to be prepared for side effects that chemotherapy gives: nausea, vomiting, severe dizziness, general weakness, intestinal upset, hair loss.

Targeted therapy

An innovative method of targeted treatment. The products used destroy only cancer cells without having a detrimental effect on other organs, tissues and systems. Medicines for such treatment are produced using genetic engineering technologies. Moreover, each of them has its own specific effect: suppresses the function of enzymes, stops signals for cell division, prevents the formation of new vessels necessary for tumor growth, etc.

Rehabilitation

After suffering from colorectal cancer of any stage, the human body is greatly weakened. Surgery and postoperative treatment of colon cancer in the form of chemotherapy also negatively affects the patient’s condition:

• in the first 2 months, intestinal disorders are observed;
• Over the course of six months, a person gradually adapts to new living conditions (especially if a colostomy has been performed).

Full adaptation usually occurs no earlier than 1 year after surgery. At this time, the patient must undergo examinations and routine examinations by an oncologist, and systematically undergo tests. Even after complete remission, a person who has had colon cancer should visit an oncologist once a year to exclude the possibility of relapse.

Prevention

Unfortunately, it is impossible to influence hereditary factors and gene mutations that provoke the growth of cancer cells. But you can reduce the possibility of developing the disease with the help of simple preventive measures:

• regular examinations and medical examinations, especially if among your relatives there are those who suffer from colon cancer;
• people in the older age group should undergo examinations by a gastroenterologist every year;
• timely treatment of intestinal colitis and removal of polyps;
• proper nutrition: fresh vegetables and fruits, giving up bad habits, fast food, too fatty, salty and spicy foods;
• active lifestyle.

Survival prognosis

The survival rate of patients diagnosed with colon cancer depends directly on their overall health and the stage of the disease. According to statistics, the overall average survival rate within 5 years after detection of a tumor and initiation of treatment is 50% for all stages of the disease. With incurable cancer, with multiple cancer foci in distant organs and affected lymph nodes, patients live no more than 1 year.

The earlier foci of cancer are identified and treatment is started, the lower the likelihood of metastases in other organs and the higher the likely percentage of patient survival. That is why it is very important to visit a specialist when the first symptoms characteristic of colon cancer appear, as well as undergo routine medical examinations and annual examinations.

Colon cancer is one of the most common tumors. Among cancers of the digestive tract, colon cancer ranks third after cancer of the stomach and esophagus. Among patients in surgical departments, such patients make up from 0.2 to 0.9%. Men get colon cancer slightly more often than women. Colon cancer occurs more often in patients aged 40 to 60 years. In more than 50% of cases, colon cancer occurs due to single polyps and colon polyposis. This process selectively affects a number of sections of the intestine: the hepatic and splenic flexures of the colon are most often affected, then the cecum, descending section and sigmoid colon, and much less often the ascending section and transverse part of the colon.

It is customary to distinguish between two forms of colon cancer: exophytic, when the tumor grows into the intestinal lumen and leads to partial or complete closure, and endophytic, when the tumor spreads towards the peritoneum. Exophytic tumors, which often have a tuberous shape, include polypoid and villous forms of cancer. Endophytic tumors have the character of ulcers, ring-shaped covering the intestinal wall. Exophytic cancers are most often observed in the right half of the colon, and endophytic cancers are more often observed in the left. If the tumor is located near the bauginian valve, then stenosis develops quite early. The progressive growth of a cancerous tumor towards the peritoneum causes a response from nearby organs (loops of the small intestine, omentum), which adhere to the tumor and form a large conglomerate. Further development of the tumor can lead to its perforation into the free abdominal cavity, which entails the development of peritonitis. Ulceration of the tumor from the intestinal mucosa can lead to massive bleeding.

Multiple colon cancer is rare (from 0.6 to 7%) and occurs mainly with polyposis, less often due to ulcerative colitis. Its course is more malignant than that of single cancer.

As for the microscopic structure of colon cancer, adenocarcinomas are predominantly found (80%), then mucous colloid (12-15%) and medullary cancers.

Symptoms of colon cancer differ depending on the shape and structure of the tumor and its location. Sometimes colon cancer is asymptomatic for a long time or manifests itself with nonspecific symptoms characteristic of other diseases gastrointestinal tract. With different localizations and forms of the disease, belching, sometimes foul-smelling, aversion to food, alternating constipation and diarrhea with mucus, and especially foul-smelling stool with a lot of gas appear. This "bowel discomfort" should raise suspicion of colon cancer. According to B. L. Bronstein (1950), discomfort is observed in 14% of cases. The pain is constant and relatively early signs diseases: patients initially complain of heaviness in the abdomen, then the pain intensifies, and with intestinal obstruction it becomes persistent, periodic and cramping. Upon examination, only in debilitated patients can a large tumor be detected, with intestinal swelling proximal to the tumor. Percussion is of little help in identifying the tumor. Palpation allows you to determine the size of the tumor, its location, and mobility. Sometimes patients themselves feel the tumor in their abdomen. In 20% of cases of colon cancer, blood is detected in the stool, and in the early stages of the disease it occurs in only 7% (B. L. Bronstein). Heavy bleeding in colon cancer is rare, but it is sometimes one of the first signs of the disease. “Causeless anemia” of the hypochromic type and accelerated ROE give reason to suspect a cancerous tumor. Anemia is more common when the tumor is located in the proximal colon. In 37% of cases of colon cancer, fever is observed - and not only with extensive cancerous lesions with decay, but also with moderate tumor development in combination with an inflammatory reaction. Using sigmoidoscopy, you can detect a tumor of the sigmoid colon and perform a biopsy, as well as cytological examination smears taken from areas suspicious for cancer.

Contrast x-ray examination of the colon plays an important role in the diagnosis of colon cancer.

Currently, surgery is the only radical method of treating colon cancer at an early stage, that is, when resection of part of the colon removes not only the tumor, but also regional lymph nodes.

If radical operations are not feasible due to the severity of the patient's condition or in the presence of metastases, palliative operations are performed to eliminate intestinal obstruction, which consist of turning off the part of the intestine affected by the tumor and applying bypass anastomoses.

Sarcoma of the colon It is rare and accounts for 1 to 3% of colon tumors. Sarcoma of the colon is observed at all ages - from 7 months to 63 years, but most often between the ages of 20 and 40 years. A history of abdominal trauma is common. The cecum is most often affected. The size of the tumor ranges from the size of a small apple to the size of an adult’s head. Sarcoma of the colon often occurs in the form of a dense, tuberous node, fused with neighboring organs and with the anterior abdominal wall. Often, sarcoma of the colon occurs in the form of a muff, with the intestinal wall evenly thickened over a significant extent. Narrowing of the intestinal lumen with sarcoma is less common than with cancer. Sarcoma develops from the submucosal layer and invades the peritoneum late. In the colon, round cell sarcomas predominate, followed by lymphosarcoma and spindle cell sarcoma. Colon sarcomas grow rapidly. The duration of the disease is up to a year.

At first, the disease is usually asymptomatic, and only with advanced development of the process does anorexia occur, as well as diarrhea, alternating with constipation. Often, colon sarcoma simulates chronic appendicitis. When the tumor disintegrates, the temperature rises to 39.7°.

Anemia and cachexia are less common than with cancer. Frequent complications include tumor growth into neighboring organs, perforation into the abdominal cavity and, less commonly, intestinal obstruction, as well as intussusception. Intestinal bleeding is rare. Sarcoma can compress the inferior vena cava or portal vein and cause ascites and peripheral edema, and when the ureter is compressed, hydronephrosis (I. Ya. Deineka, 1960).

The diagnosis of colon sarcoma is difficult. The thought of sarcoma should arise in the presence of a rapidly growing, painless, lumpy tumor that does not cause intestinal stenosis, especially in young people.

Treatment of colon sarcoma is surgical and consists of possibly early resection of the affected segment of the intestine with removal of regional lymph nodes and tissue. The prognosis is unfavorable.

Benign tumors of the colon are very diverse: these are polyps, fibromas, lipomas, hemangiomas, fibroids, leiolipomas, etc. These tumors long time They retain their small size and do not show themselves in any way. As the tumor grows, symptoms of narrowing or intussusception may appear.

Colon polyps and polyposis deserve special attention. Polyps are: hyperplastic with excessive development of the mucous membrane, inflammatory - with chronic inflammation (dysentery, tuberculosis) and adenomatous, or true polyps, based on tumor growths of the glands of the mucous membrane. The cecum is most often affected by polyps. Polyps occur predominantly in young people. The size of polyps ranges from the size of a millet grain to the fist of an adult. Polyps can be located on a wide base or have a narrow stalk.

The symptoms of polyps and polyposis are not the same and depend on the number of polyps, their location and structure. Single polyps may not show themselves for a long time. At the same time, adenomatous forms are accompanied by loose stools mixed with mucus and blood, often there is pain along the colon in combination with constipation, and when the sigmoid colon is affected, tenesmus occurs. Patients lose weight and become anemic. In some cases, it is possible to note small pigment spots on the mucous membranes of the lips, cheeks, palate, and wings of the nose (Petz-Jaeger syndrome). During sigmoidoscopy, sigmoid colon polyps of various sizes, shapes and colors are visible. The diagnosis of colon polyposis is not so difficult with a thorough X-ray examination.

Treatment is surgical and consists of excision of single polyps and resection of the affected part or the entire colon. The prognosis is serious due to the fact that cancer can develop due to polyps and polyposis.

Of the benign tumors of the colon, lipomas are in first place in frequency. They are located under the mucous membrane (in this case they are called internal) and above the serous membrane (external). More often they are located on a broad base, but sometimes they have a stalk and are then called polypoid lipomas. Lipomas come in various sizes: from the size of a pea to a man's fist; occur predominantly in people over 40 years of age.

Lipomas remain asymptomatic for a long time. With a generally satisfactory condition, patients develop constipation, followed by diarrhea, sometimes with mucus and blood. Lipomas that have reached significant sizes can be palpated through the abdominal wall and move freely during palpation. Intussusception is possible. The prognosis for colon lipomas is favorable if the lipoma is removed in a timely manner. The operation consists of resection of a section of the intestine with a lipoma.

Colon fibroids are very rare

Benign colon tumors are small growths of cells that match the cell type of the organ from which the tumors originated (in this case, colon cells). They are formed from the inner layer of the colon and protrude into the lumen.

This type of tumor is quite common and most often occurs in overweight people over 50 years of age. Mostly benign tumors of the large intestine are located in the rectum (more than 50%). Some tumor cells may lose all or part of their differentiation. In this case, the tumor degenerates from benign to malignant.

Symptoms of the disease

Often, benign tumors are discovered by chance during an examination related to another disease, since this disease is often asymptomatic.

The following conditions can be a clear sign of pathology:

• When the rectum is emptied, streaks of blood are visible in the feces.
• Painful sensation in the rectum during bowel movement.
• Pain localized in the lateral abdomen and anus, which intensifies at the time of defecation. They are aching or cramping in nature, subside after defecation, and are almost completely relieved by taking enzyme preparations and using a warm heating pad.
• Frequent or vice versa – , .
• necessary for the blood to carry oxygen from the lungs to the cells.
• Accompanied by painful sensations, false urge to empty (tenesmus).
• Absence of cancer intoxication, characterized by fatigue, weakness, heavy sweating, weight loss and loss of appetite.

Types of benign tumors of the large intestine

Several types of benign neoplasms can occur in different parts of the large intestine.

These include:

Colon polyps

Cells that have lost their differentiation (tumor cells do not correspond to the cells of the tissue from which they are formed) form adenomatous benign tumors of the large intestine -. These are one of the most common neoplasms.

They come in three types:

• Tubular adenomas (tubular), which are neoplasms with a dense and smooth pink surface.
• Villous, characterized by branch-like outgrowths.
• Tubular-villous.

If any tissue element of normal tissue develops disproportionately, it occurs hamartroma– nodular growth of the tumor.

Most common for adults hyperplastic polyps, located mainly in the rectum. The tumors are small.

As a result of an acute inflammatory disease, there may be inflammatory polyp, which is a neoplasm from the intestinal mucosa. This type of polyp is attached to the intestinal wall in various ways and can come in different shapes.

Tumors that have a slightly elongated or rounded shape, the surface of which may be velvety or covered with papillae, are called villous tumors.

Diffuse polyposis (the appearance of several growing polyps) is of two types:

1. True (or family)– it is characterized by a large number of rapidly progressing polyps (from hundreds to several thousand). The disease is hereditary.
2. Secondary– it occurs as a result of the inflammatory reaction of the intestine to damage of various types to the colon.

Polyps, depending on their number, are divided into:

• single;
• multiple (two or more).

Hereditary polyposis, causes

The process of cell renewal of the intestinal mucous layer is normally regular. In the presence of any disturbances, uneven renewal leads to the formation of benign tumors.

Factors that play an important role in the development of tumors:

• Heredity. If the family history indicates colon polyposis, the risk of developing benign tumors increases.
• Poor nutrition associated with excessive consumption of food containing animal fat and lack of fiber, which is present in large quantities in vegetables, fruits, bread and others.
• , which have been occurring for a long time, and their treatment was carried out with senoids that irritate the mucous membrane.
• Age exceeding 50 years.
• Low physical activity ().
• Smoking tobacco products.
• Various intestinal diseases

Pathologies that can lead to the development of benign tumors of the large intestine include:

• , which can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, but most often affects the large intestine. The disease is inflammatory in nature and affects all layers of the intestinal wall.
• , characteristic primarily of the large intestine in its mucous membrane. It consists of numerous ulcerative formations of an inflammatory nature.
• , which are diseases of the mucous layer of the colon of an inflammatory nature.

Important: The sooner a patient sees a doctor, the higher the chances of reducing the risk of complications and maintaining health. The disease is treated by an oncologist.

Diagnosis of the disease

To determine the pathology and make the correct diagnosis, the following is carried out:

Treatment of the disease

Drug therapy for benign tumors of the large intestine is considered ineffective, so surgery is resorted to.

Endoscopic equipment is used to treat single formations. A flexible endoscope tube containing a loop electrode to grasp the tumor and remove the stalk of the tumor is inserted into the patient's anus. Large tumors are removed in several stages. To identify malignant cell transformations, the removed tumor tissue is sent for examination under a microscope. The described method is well tolerated by the patient, and the person’s performance is restored the very next day.

Diffuse polyposis is treated by total resection of the large intestine. This is necessary due to the fact that there is a high risk of malignant neoplasms. After removing the colon, the patient's anus is connected to the end of the small intestine.

Control endoscopy is prescribed one year after removal of large polyps or multiple tumors. If polyps are detected again, they are removed. If they are absent, the next examination using a colonoscope is performed after 3 years.

Possible complications and their consequences

If treatment is not carried out in a timely manner, the following complications may occur:

• The appearance of bleeding from the rectum due to damage to tumor tissue.
• Degeneration of benign cells into malignant ones.
• Perforation of the intestinal wall (opening). As a result, inflammation of the abdominal organs occurs ().
• Complete or partial due to blockage of the intestinal lumen by large neoplasms.
• Acute entercolitis (inflammation of the intestinal wall). This disease progresses very quickly and can be fatal.
• (decrease in the amount of hemoglobin in the blood).
• The so-called “” are hard and dense stools that arise as a result of prolonged constipation.

Prevention of disease

There is no specific prevention for this disease.

• Eat right (limit the amount of fried, smoked, spicy and fatty foods, reduce the consumption of coffee, fast food and soda).
• Increase the amount of foods in your diet that contain fiber, dietary fiber (eat vegetables, fruits, buckwheat and corn grits, whole grain bread, dairy products and vegetable oils).
• Increase the volume of fluid consumed to 2 liters per day.
• Be examined by a gastroenterologist using an endoscope at least once a year (especially for patients over 45-50 years of age. Remove tumors if they are detected.

Colon cancer, the symptoms, causes and treatment of which will be discussed below, is a fairly common disease. It is especially common in people living in America, England, Africa and Greece. In our country, this disease ranks third among cancer diseases, second only to breast and prostate cancer.

This geographical distribution of intestinal oncology is due to diet. Each region adheres to a certain type of diet, using in its diet foods that change the intestinal flora.

In this flora, bacteria develop, which with their metabolic products not only poison the patient’s body, but also produce carcinogenic substances that accelerate pathological cell division and form a tumor.

According to statistics, the male population aged 50 to 70 years is more susceptible to this disease.

Classification and stages of the disease

Bowel cancer is a fairly broad concept, since a tumor can develop in different parts of it: in the cecum, in the colon and rectum, or in the anus. The neoplasm develops in the mucous membrane and grows along the intestinal wall. Next, the tumor grows into all tissues of the intestine and begins to affect nearby organs.

In men, rectal cancer can spread to the spermatic tubercles and prostate gland, and in the female body it spreads to the vagina and uterus.

There is a certain classification of colon cancer that develops in humans. Depending on the outlines of the tumor, the following forms are distinguished:

• endophytic;
• exophytic;
• saucer-shaped.

According to the type of cell structure there are:

• adenocarcinoma;
• mucocellular colon cancer;
• undifferentiated;
• unclassifiable form of cancer.

Adenocarcinoma occurs most frequently, accounting for 80% of all known cases.

Speaking about the stages of cancer that affects the intestines, there are 4 of them:

1. At the first stage, the tumor is localized on the mucous and submucosal membranes, while its size is small.
2. At the second stage, the tumor has already increased in size, has pronounced symptoms, but has not yet metastasized.
3. At the third stage of development, the tumor has increased and its size already completely fills the thickness of the intestinal walls. Metastases appear that affect nearby lymph nodes.
4. The fourth is the last stage, at which the tumor has already reached enormous sizes; metastases are located not only in the lymph nodes, but also in neighboring organs. Treatment is unsuccessful, and the prognosis for the patient is not good.

The first and second stages of development are best treated. At the third stage, the probability of living another 5 years is 30%.

Causes of intestinal cancer

The disease can develop against the background of erosive lesions of the intestinal walls, due to inflammatory processes in the intestines, which disrupt the integrity of the mucous membrane and provoke the formation of a tumor. Colon adenoma can also cause cancer formation.

Among the predisposing factors that can cause colon cancer in women and men are:

• heredity;
• poor nutrition;
• diseases of the large intestine.

The first symptoms of oncology may appear if a person eats a lot of animal fats and there is no plant fiber in the diet.

As a result of poor nutrition, the intestines do not receive enough of a substance called hummus, which improves intestinal motility. Instead, with food a person receives a large amount of bile acids and neutral fats, which tend to move very slowly through the intestines and at the same time irritate the mucous membrane.

As a result, the microflora in the organ changes, and, as described above, atypical cells are formed. People who play sports and often use synthetic mixtures, such as gainers and proteins, are also at risk. Bad habits, namely alcohol abuse, also play an important role in the development of pathology.

A cancer diagnosis may be genetic. If there have been similar cases in your family, then the likelihood that you will also get sick increases by 20%. If close relatives - brothers, sisters and parents - were sick, then the likelihood is even higher. In this case, it is recommended to consult a doctor who can calculate the likelihood of your illness.

The manifestation of cancer can be quite expected if a person has diseases such as polyps, Gardner, Peutz-Jigers, Turk, Cronkite-Canada syndrome, diverticulosis, Crohn's disease, perirectal fistulas and untreated rectal fissures.

Symptoms of oncology

Symptoms of colon cancer at an early stage can rarely be recognized; a tumor at the beginning of its development can only be seen during a colcoscopic examination or upon palpation by a doctor. At the second stage, the tumor increases in size and begins to show visible signs. Symptoms on early stages(1-2) may look like this:

• unmotivated weakness;
• loss of appetite and aversion to food;
• sleep disorders;
• sudden weight loss;
• heaviness after eating;
• bloating;
• ascites;
• mild abdominal pain;
• rumbling and flatulence;
• frequent constipation or fecal incontinence;
• blood in the stool;
• false urge to defecate;
• pale skin;
• sleep disturbance;
• ribbon-shaped stool.

Often the patient experiences belching, nausea, a feeling of bitterness in the mouth and vomiting. Fever and anemia are less common, but they occur against the background of infectious and inflammatory processes in the body, which further complicates diagnosis.

If there are signs of colon cancer, be sure to consult a doctor and get a full diagnosis, as this disease can have unforeseen consequences.

Diagnosis of colon cancer and traditional treatment

Before treating oncology, it is necessary to undergo a series of procedures that will confirm the diagnosis and provide the doctor with more information about the tumor.

If colon cancer is suspected, diagnosis consists of several stages:

• examination and interview of the patient;
• palpation of the rectum;
• sigmoidoscopy;
• blood and stool tests;
• colonoscopy;
• Ultrasound of the abdomen, pelvis;
• endorectal ultrasound.

Based on the data obtained, treatment for colon cancer begins. If there is the first or second stage of cancer, then chemotherapy is carried out with drugs such as 5-fluorouracil and Ftorafur. Unfortunately, drugs help only 10% of patients examined; in other cases, surgical treatment is prescribed.

Before removing the tumor, some patients undergo several sessions of radiation therapy, this allows them to stop cell division and slightly reduce the size of the tumor. Surgical treatment consists of complete removal of the tumor along with metastases.

Before surgery, the patient must be prepared. IN last years Orthograde intestinal lavage is used. It is carried out by introducing 8 liters of isotonic solution through a probe, which is installed in the duodenum. Old methods - enemas and diets - are used much less frequently.

Once colon cancer is diagnosed, treatment will depend on the location of the tumor and the presence of metastases. If there are no complications, then doctors remove the parts of the intestine and regional lymph nodes affected by the tumor.

The surgical plan is developed in advance by the surgeon, depending on how far the tumor has spread and whether the deep parts of the intestine have been affected.

After surgery, chemotherapy is required, but it is indicated for those people whose tumor has grown into all layers of the intestine. At the fourth stage, surgery is no longer performed; chemotherapy is possible, which is aimed solely at improving a person’s quality of life.

Sometimes chemotherapy acts as a preventive measure for relapse of the disease. The patient's rehabilitation period after surgery is 3 months. In the future and throughout his life, he will be prescribed special medications to maintain normal bowel function.

It is impossible to confidently give a positive prognosis even with a correctly performed operation, since a number of complications may develop.

Prevention and traditional methods of treatment

To prevent intestinal cancer, first of all, it is necessary to note healthy eating. Modern medicine releases substances that reduce the risk of the formation of atypical cells. These include:

• ascorbic acid;
• selenium;
• vitamin A;
• beta-carotene;
• vitamin E.

By consuming foods rich in these substances, a person will not only improve well-being and increase the body’s defenses, but may also avoid intestinal cancer.

According to statistics, the risk of developing bowel cancer increases if a person works in sawmills and chemical plants. At the first symptoms of the disease, change your profession to a safer one. If polyps are detected or inflammatory diseases in the intestines, treat them promptly.

Among folk ways that will help alleviate the patient’s condition can be noted:

Remember that getting carried away folk recipes not worth it, they can be used as an addition to traditional treatment, but not as the main treatment regimen.

Any disease can be treated with initial stage, so be attentive to your body and visit a doctor for preventive purposes.

We now know what colon cancer is, its symptoms, causes and methods of treatment. In ancient times they said: informed means armed. In this case, this proverb fits perfectly. Being theoretically savvy, a person can easily identify the body’s alarm bells and promptly seek help.

Bowel cancer belongs to oncological diseases, formed in the large and small intestine. It occurs in both men and women. Signs of intestinal cancer are quite minor at the initial stage.

A malignant tumor forms on the mucous surfaces of the intestine, and most often the tumor appears in the large intestine; there are cases when it is found in the sigmoid, rectum, colon or cecum. The survival prognosis of patients with any cancer depends on the stage at which it was detected. The sooner a tumor can be detected, the greater the patient’s chances for complete healing.

Why intestinal cancer develops, what are the first signs of the disease and what methods of prevention exist - we will look further in the article.

About bowel cancer

Colon cancer is a malignant transformation of the epithelium that can affect any segment of the intestine.

The most susceptible to this disease are people in the age group after 45 years, men and women to the same extent, every 10 years the incidence rate increases by 10%. Colon cancer varies in its histological structure; in 96% of cases it develops from glandular cells of the mucous membrane (adenocarcinoma).

Depending on the location of the tumor, there are:

• Cancer small intestine. It occurs quite rarely, in approximately 1-1.5% of cases of all cancers of the digestive tract. The disease mainly affects elderly and senile people; the disease affects men more often than women. Of all parts of the small intestine, tumors prefer to be localized in the duodenum, less often in the jejunum and ileum.
• Colon cancer. The predominant number of tumors in this area are located in the sigmoid and rectum. Among people who prefer meat, pathology is observed more often than among vegetarians.

It takes about 5-10 years for colon cancer to develop from a polyp, such as in the colon. An intestinal tumor grows from a small polyp, the symptoms of which in the first stages are characterized by sluggish symptoms.

It can manifest itself, for example, as a gastrointestinal disorder, which distracts from the primary cancer, since many do not pay attention to the discomfort in the intestines during the disorder, not knowing what kind of pain can arise from intestinal cancer, which is why they treat diarrhea.

Causes

Causes of colon cancer:

1. Elderly age. Here, how old a person is plays an important role. According to statistics, intestinal diseases affect people aged 50 years and older.
2. Intestinal diseases. People suffering from inflammatory bowel pathologies are most susceptible to this disease.
3. Wrong lifestyle. If you visit a medical forum, these factors include poor nutrition, including a large percentage of consumption of fats and animal products, smoking, and drinking strong drinks.
4. Hereditary factor. A person is at increased risk when his relatives have had various forms of intestinal diseases.

In men, according to statistics, this is the second most common cancer after lung cancer, and in women it is the third. The risk of developing cancer increases with age. In medicine there is such a definition of intestinal cancer - colorectal cancer.

First signs

With this diagnosis, cancer cells form and grow in the body, their presence causes the appearance of a malignant tumor. It is almost impossible to determine their presence at an early stage, since the first symptoms and signs of intestinal cancer in women and men are similar to classic indigestion and digestive problems.

In order not to miss the onset of the disease, you should pay more attention to the following signs:

• a feeling of heaviness in the stomach not associated with eating;
• poor appetite, sudden weight loss;
• aversion to fried fatty foods;
• signs of dyspepsia;
• diarrhea followed by prolonged constipation;
• signs ;
• blood during bowel movements and in stool.

The main problem with cancer is absence of specific symptoms in the early stages, so patients consult a doctor at stages 3-4, when treatment options for colon cancer are already limited.

Stages of development

There are five distinct stages in the development of colon cancer. The complete absence or weak severity of manifestations is observed up to the second (in rare cases even to the third) stage. In the third and fourth stages, the patient experiences severe pain, forcing him to seek medical help.

Stages of development of bowel cancer:

• Stage 0 is characterized by the presence of a small accumulation of atypical cells, characterized by the ability to rapidly divide and capable of degenerating into cancer. The pathological process is limited to the mucous membranes.
• Stage 1 – the cancerous tumor begins to grow quite rapidly; it does not extend beyond the intestinal walls until metastases can form. Symptoms may include disorders of the digestive tract, to which the patient does not pay due attention. At this stage, when examining the patient using colonoscopy, the appearance of neoplasia can already be detected.
• At stage 2, the tumor grows to 2-5 cm and begins to penetrate the intestinal walls.
• Stage 3 is characterized by increased activity of cancer cells. The tumor quickly increases in size and penetrates the intestinal wall. Cancer cells invade the lymph nodes. Neighboring organs and tissues are also affected: regional lesions appear in them.
• At stage 4 the tumor reaches maximum sizes , gives metastases to distant organs. Toxic damage to the body occurs due to waste products of the malignant neoplasm. As a result, the operation of all systems is disrupted.

Life expectancy is determined by the size of the tumor and its ability to localize. Tumor cells that have spread to the surface layer of the epithelium allow 85% of patients to survive. When the muscle layer is affected, the situation worsens - the survival rate does not exceed 67%.

In accordance with International classification, highlight:

• Adenocarcinoma;
• Colloid cancer;
• Signet ring cell;
• Squamous;
• Undifferentiated and unclassifiable forms.

Most often (about 80% of cases) adenocarcinoma is diagnosed - glandular cancer, originating from the epithelium of the intestinal mucosa. Such tumors are highly, moderately and poorly differentiated, which determines the prognosis. Signet ring cell carcinoma often affects young people, while squamous cell carcinoma is more often localized in the rectum.

Symptoms of bowel cancer: manifestation in adults

Signs of bowel cancer appear late in the course of the disease. Symptoms of intestinal cancer in the early stages are sluggish, almost unnoticeable. But you should also pay attention to them in order to eliminate irreversible consequences.

Symptoms of intestinal cancer depending on the type:

1. With stenotic oncology, constipation and colic appear due to the narrowed lumen. At the same time, in the first stage of cancer, a person suffers from flatulence with relief after defecation.
2. Signs of enterocolitis type bowel cancer are constantly changing stools from diarrhea to constipation and vice versa.
3. The dyspeptic form is characterized by constant belching with heartburn and the appearance of bitterness in the mouth.
4. Pseudo-inflammatory oncology causes nausea with vomiting, chills, fever and unbearable pain.
5. Symptoms of cystitis type intestinal cancer are the appearance of blood when urinating with pain.

Other symptoms:

• Quite often, when a malignant tumor develops in the intestines, patients experience fullness, even after a successful trip to the toilet;
• some experience sudden, unexplained weight loss, despite maintaining their usual routine and diet;
• the presence of blood impurities in the stool may also indicate the development of an oncological process in the intestines;
• the first signs of intestinal oncology are usually mild, so they can be mistaken for general malaise (drowsiness, general weakness, fatigue) or digestive disorders. However, as the process worsens, they become more pronounced and complemented.

Signs of intestinal cancer are determined by the location of the tumor and the stage of its development. If the tumor has affected the right part of the organ, the following symptoms occur:

• diarrhea;
• the presence of blood in the stool;
• pain in the abdominal area;
• anemia.

Development of a tumor in the left part of the intestine:

• The patient complains of constant constipation, difficulties during excretion of feces, and bloating.
• There is frequent alternation loose stool with constipation, through narrowing and relaxation of the lumen of the colon, this is often a symptom of cancer.
• Excretion of feces occurs with great difficulty, often with blood and mucus, and is accompanied by painful sensations.

Symptoms of bowel cancer in women and men

Signs of intestinal cancer in men and women with this course are practically no different. Later, if the tumor progresses and spreads to neighboring organs, the prostate is the first to be affected in men, and the vagina is the first to be affected in women; the rectal space and anal canal are also affected.

At the same time, the patient begins to worry severe pain in the anus, coccyx, sacrum, lumbar region, men feel difficulty during urination.

If it is oncology, the clinical outcome is not always favorable. Malignant neoplasm appears in women after 35 years of age; in the primary form, it does not spread metastases to the uterus. First, the patient experiences general weakness throughout the body and classic signs of dyspepsia, then specific signs of an intestinal tumor appear. This:

• recurrent pain during bowel movements;
• disruption of the menstrual cycle;
• blood in stool;
• impaired urination;
• sudden weight loss, lack of appetite;
• blood impurities in the daily urine sample;
• aversion to fried, fatty foods.

Late stages of bowel cancer are characterized by the addition common symptoms to the locals. Signs of intestinal cancer appear:

• The skin becomes dry and pale.
• Frequent dizziness and headaches.
• Weakness and fatigue of the patient.
• Unreasonable weight loss and exhaustion.
• Damage to other systems and organs of the body.
• Low presence of blood in the body, low level of protein in it.

The appearance of metastases

Colon cancer most often metastasizes to the liver; there are frequent cases of damage to the lymph nodes of the retroperitoneal space, the peritoneum itself, abdominal organs, ovaries, lungs, adrenal glands, pancreas, pelvic organs and bladder.

The following circumstances become unfavorable factors for the prognosis:

• tumor growing into fatty tissue;
• cancer cells with a low degree of differentiation;
• large intestine with perforation;
• the transition of primary cancer to organs and tissues “in the neighborhood” and to large veins, closing their lumen;
• carcinoembryonic antigen of high concentration in plasma before surgery. It is associated with an increased risk of recurrence regardless of cancer stage.

Patients with metastases are divided into two groups:

• patients with single metastases;
• patients with multiple metastases (more than 3).

Diagnostics

The diagnostic search begins with a detailed clarification of the nature of the complaints and clarification of the presence of patients with colonorectal cancer among close relatives. Particular attention is paid to patients with previous inflammatory bowel processes and polyps.

In the early stages, the presence of intestinal cancer can be indicated by any even mild sensation of discomfort in the abdominal area, which is complemented by changes in the blood test and the patient’s age over 50 years.

Features of the blood test:

• decreased hemoglobin levels and red blood cell counts;
• level up ;
• high ESR;
• presence of blood (occult blood) in the stool;
• increased blood clotting;
• tumor markers.

The diagnosis is made after the following studies:

• X-ray diagnostics of the intestines (irrigoscopy). It is an X-ray examination of the intestinal walls after the administration of an X-ray contrast agent through an enema, for which a barium suspension is used.
• Retromanoscopy. The examination of a section of the intestine from the anus to a depth of 30 cm is carried out with a special device that allows the doctor to see the intestinal wall.
• Colonoscopy. Examination of the intestinal area from the anus to a depth of 100 cm.
• Laboratory examination of feces for occult blood.
• CT and MRI can determine the location of the tumor, as well as the presence or absence of metastases.

How are people with bowel cancer treated?

To get rid of cancer, different methods are used: surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Treatment of rectal cancer, like any other malignant tumor, is a very difficult and lengthy process. top scores is a surgical operation during which the tumor and surrounding tissue are removed.

If the disease is diagnosed in a timely manner, surgical intervention is performed with a retromanoscope, which is inserted into the rectum through the anus. At the last stage of the disease, extensive surgical entry is used. Sometimes patients with intestinal oncology have this organ partially cut off.

After surgery, the two parts of the intestine are sewn together. If it is impossible to connect them, one of the parts of the intestine is removed to the peritoneum.

Treatment also includes:

• Radiation therapy uses x-rays to stop tumor growth and cause cancer cells to die.
• Radiotherapy - how preparatory stage to surgical treatment. It is also indicated in the postoperative period.
• Chemotherapy involves the administration of cytostatic drugs that have a detrimental effect on tumors. Unfortunately, these drugs also have a negative effect on healthy cells in the body, so chemotherapy has a lot of unpleasant side effects. side effects: hair loss, uncontrollable nausea and vomiting.

Chemotherapy is used systemically, before or after surgery. In some cases, local administration to blood vessels, feeding metastases. The main drug used for chemotherapy is 5-fluorouracil. In addition to it, other cytostatics are used - capecitabine, oxaliplastin, irinotecan and others. To enhance their action, immunocorrectors (interferogens, stimulators of humoral and cellular immunity) are prescribed.

Forecast

The prognosis for colon cancer depends on the stage at which the disease was detected. Thus, with the initial forms of the tumor, patients live long, and the five-year survival rate reaches 90%, while in the presence of metastases it remains no more than 50%. The most unfavorable prognosis is in advanced cases, as well as with significant damage to the rectum, especially in the distal section.

How long do people live at different stages of bowel cancer?

1. The initial stage (difficult to diagnose) is a guarantee that positive result will reach 90-95% survival rate, if, of course, the surgical intervention was successful.
2. At the second stage progression of the tumor and its spread to neighboring organs leaves a chance of survival for 75% of patients. That is, those patients who have successfully undergone surgery and radiation therapy.
3. At the third stage, the size of the tumor is critical, and it grows into regional lymph nodes. 50% of patients manage to survive.
4. The fourth stage practically does not guarantee a successful outcome. Only 5% manage to survive a malignant neoplasm that has grown into individual organs and bone tissues, forming extensive metastases.

Prevention

Oncological diseases are insidious and unpredictable. People who have a hereditary predisposition to cancer or have been diagnosed with diseases that can transform into cancer, as well as all people over the age of 40, should think about prevention.

• Increased physical activity;
• Enriching the diet with foods containing fiber;
• Quitting bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol).

Colon cancer is a dangerous disease that can be prevented by following preventive measures and conducting a full diagnosis of the body 1-2 times a year. If you or your loved ones have the symptoms described in this article, be sure to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist and get diagnosed.