Generally cancer can not be cured but if one patient is diagnosed in an early stage of bowel cancer than there is hope of good recuperation after therapy.



The colon and rectum are a part of the large intestine and their function is to absorb nutrients and water from the food that passes through the intestine before it goes out of the body. Bowel cancer is the disease that affects the cells from the colon and rectum creating a malign or benign tumor. Bowel cancer generally means colon cancer, rectum cancer and anus cancer.

Cancer determines cells to divide in an uncontrollable way. Generally the cells of the body divide only when needed, like when they grow old and other cells need to be produced in order to replace them or when they are in a small amount and the body needs more of them. Because the cells are produced in an increased number, a mass of unknown tissue will form, known as a tumor (this tumor can be benign or malign). If the tumor is malignant it can spread to other organs giving metastasis.

If a person has polyps on the internal surface of the colon it is exposed to the risk of developing colorectal cancer it these polyps transform into cancerous polyps.

Patients come at the hospital because they feel tired, they are constipated, or have diarrhea for more than a week. Sometimes people observe that their stool is much thinner than before and that it comes with blood. They might be feeling abdominal pain, cramps, and bloating. Most of the patients loose a lot of weight in a short period of time and have a lack of appetite.

Those who have adopted western diets, are obese, are smoking and also follow a diet that is rich in proteins and fats and low in fiber are at risk to develop colorectal cancer. There are several factors that increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer: those who have a family history of colon cancer or other type of cancer is at risk; those who drink alcohol and follow an improper diet can develop this disease. Also, people who suffer of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, and familial adenomatous polyposis are exposed at a greater risk than others. There is a type of nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome which also occurs in the same family members but now people who are at risk can be identified through genetic screening.

In order to diagnose this disease the doctor will ask you about your symptoms and might palpate your abdomen and check out the rectum with his finger of course using a lubricated glove. Your doctor might send you to a specialist who will do some more tests in order to exclude the possibility of colorectal cancer. A useful test is the sigmoidoscopy and the colonoscopy which visualizes the inside of the colon and can tell the doctor whether there is a tumor or not. During this procedure if polyps are found they can be removed and if tumor is seen it can be taken out and sent to the laboratory for tests.

The barium enema can also be used, along with ultrasounds, CT and MRI scanning.

Colorectal cancer must be diagnosed in its early stages in order for the treatment to function at its maximum power. This is why periodically screenings and tests need to be done in those people who are at risk of developing this disease.