Colorectal cancer is said to be one of the most common cancers in the U.S. In this text, I largely concern myself with this type of cancer. In so doing, I will amongst other things take into consideration not only its pathophysiology but also its clinical manifestations, treatment options, interventions, and expected outcomes.
Colorectal Cancer: A Brief Overview
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- CDC (2011) observes that "of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States…" In basic terms, this type of cancer as CDC (2011) further points out affects the colon (large intestine) or the rectum.
Pathophysiology
The exact causes of colorectal cancer remain unknown. However, it is important to note that a number of risk factors do exist. These include but they are not in any way limited to age. Indeed, according to the National Cancer Institute -- NCI (2012), most of those diagnosed with colorectal cancer happen to be of age 50 and above. The other risk factors identified by NCI (2012) include a history of either polyps or ulcerative colitis, family history of either rectum or colon cancer, as well as personal history of other cancers such as breast, ovary or even colon cancer.
As Yarbro, Wujcik and Gobel (2010) point out, "in colorectal cancers, a series of mutations occurs in the epithelial cells of the colonic and rectal mucosa." These mutations as the authors further note end up affecting the body's somatic cells. It should be noted that in this case, the offspring may not inherit these changes from the parent as the reproductive cells are not essentially affected. However, it is important to note that similar mutilations could in some instances occur in some individuals' "germ-line (reproductive) proto-oncogenes and some germ-line tumor suppressor genes" (Yarbro, Wujcik and Gobel, 2010). According to the authors, a child could inherit these mutations from a parent.
Clinical Manifestations
Clinical manifestations of this particular kind of cancer according to Davey (2010) largely depend on the site of the tumor. It is however important to note that during its early stages, colorectal cancer may not present any symptoms. As the tumor progresses, the associated symptoms become less subtle and hence more specific. At this point, the cancer could have progressed to a stage that is relatively hard to treat. Some of the most common symptoms of colorectal cancer according to NCI (2012) include but they are not limited to presence of blood in the affected individual's stool, fatigue, vomiting, etc. Other symptoms could include weightless (unexplained), constipation or diarrhea, gas pains that are rather frequent, etc. (NCI, 2012). However, as I have already pointed out above, symptoms of colorectal cancer are likely to vary depending on not only the location but also the size of the cancer. It should also be noted that the above symptoms do not necessarily mean an individual has colorectal cancer. This is more so the case given that several other medical conditions including rectum ulcers could present similar symptoms. In that regard, individuals experiencing symptoms similar to those highlighted above should be advised to go for screening so as to ascertain the actual cause of the said symptoms.
Diagnosis
In most cases, colorectal cancer is diagnosed during its advanced stages. This is more so the case given that most symptoms of colorectal cancer appear after the disease has reached an advance stage. It should however be noted that a scan can help in the detection of colorectal cancer way before this particular kind of cancer reaches an advanced stage. Imaging tests in this case include sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. According to NCI (2012), by conducting a physical exam, doctors could successfully identify anything that feels unusual, i.e. presence of an unusual lump. A rectal exam could also help in the identification of an unusual lump (mass). When it comes to a digital rectal exam, the doctor looks for the presence of the said lumps by inserting...
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