Colorectal Cancer

What Do I Need to Know?

Colorectal Cancer, also known as colon cancer, is any type of cancer that affects the colon and rectum. Colon cancer typically begins as small benign clumps of cells called polyps that form inside the colon.

In Malaysia, colorectal cancer is the most common form of cancer in males and the second most common cancer in females. About 80% of those diagnosed with cancer are aged 50-years-old and above, and in most cases, approximately 54.36% of patients are at stage three and four, with only 8.4% are diagnosed at stage one when seeking medical attention.

What Are the Causes?

Among the leading causes that attribute to the rise of colorectal cancer is attributed to the unhealthy Malaysian lifestyle of:

• Low-fibre, high-fat diet
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Inactivity
• Smoking

Other factors that may attribute to the development of colorectal cancer are:

• Older age – A majority of colon cancer is diagnosed with those who are older than 50.
• Personal history of colon cancer or polyps – If you’ve previously had them there is a higher risk of diagnosis in the future.
• Inflammatory intestinal conditions – Chronic inflammatory diseases increase your risk.
• Inherited syndromes – Some gene mutations are passed through generations.
• Family history – If a blood relative has colon cancer, you too have an increased risk of diagnosis
• Radiation therapy – Therapy directed at the abdomen to treat other cancers may be at risk of colon cancer.

What Are the Symptoms?

In the early stages, symptoms of colorectal cancer may not be apparent and are likely to vary according to different stages of cancer.

Among the signs and symptoms, you should look out for are:

• Persistent changes in bowel habits
• Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
• Persistent abdominal discomfort
• A feeling of a not wholly empty bowel
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

Consult your doctor if these persistent symptoms impact your mental and physical well-being. The success in the treatment of colorectal cancer is dependent on the stage of disease upon diagnosis.

With 80% to 90% survival rate at Stages 1 and 2; 30% to 60% at Stage 3; 5% to 10% for Stage 4. Manage colorectal cancer by increasing your demand for diagnostic, therapeutic, and follow-up care interventions.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis process for colorectal cancer begins with a screening test to determine if any signs of colorectal cancer and Non-cancerous Colon Polyps are present.

Discovery at the earliest stage provides the highest recovery rate whilst reducing the risk of dying. Doctors tend to recommend screening tests for those with an average risk level at the age of 50. However, those in higher risk groups, such as having a family history of colon cancer are advised to screen sooner.

Colonoscopy is a procedure that utilizes a scope to view the condition of a patient’s entire colon and rectum. While no blood test can fully determine if a patient has colorectal cancer, it is essential to providing clues about a patient’s overall health.

Should a patient be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, the doctor may recommend additional tests that determine the extent of the cancer such as Abdominal, Pelvic and Chest CT scans, as well as identifying the most appropriate form of treatment.

Treatment

Treatment forms are highly dependent on the location of the cancer in a patient, as well as the stage type and other health concerns. The primary form of treatment involves surgery, but other procedures such as Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy may be recommended as well.

Should the size of the Colorectal Cancer be small, Minimally Invasive techniques such as Polypectomy and Minimally Invasive Surgery will be utilized. If the cancer has grown into or through the colon and rectum, the surgeon will create an opening in the wall of the abdomen for the purpose of bowel content removal, as well as a Partial Colectomy and Lymph Node Removal.

Dr. Lim Huay Cheen

Link: https://www.regencyspecialist.com/regency-doctor/dr-lim-huay-cheen

Dr. Hew Choong Fu

Link: https://www.regencyspecialist.com/regency-doctor/dr-ciew-choong-fu-hew-choong-fu

Dr. Ong Guan Yeow

Link: https://www.regencyspecialist.com/regency-doctor/dr-ong-guan-yeow