Thursday, April 22, 2004

Colorectal Cancer

What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?

The colorectal tumor can bleed into the inside of the bowel. Symptoms may include: �rectal bleeding �dark stools called melena, caused by blood in the stools � anemia, which is a low blood cell count, from blood or iron loss �changes in bowel habits, such as the frequency of bowel movements �smaller stools �mucus discharge from the rectum �vague abdominal distress �gas pain � hemorrhoids, which are dilated blood vessels in the rectal area

A tumor can narrow or block the bowel. It can also perforate the bowel, causing infection or bleeding into the abdominal cavity. When colorectal cancer spreads to other sites in the body, it can cause: � liver cancer �jaundice �pain in the liver �loss of appetite and weight loss �lung cancer

Rarely, swollen lymph nodes are a sign of colorectal cancer. Unusual health problems sometimes associated with colorectal cancer include: � thrombophlebitis, an inflammation in the veins of the lower leg �unusual syndromes that change skin coloring �muscle problems

What are the causes and risks of the disease?

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer. People have an increasing risk for it starting at the age of 40. People over the age of 50 account for 93% of colorectal cancer cases.

Experts believe that this slow-growing cancer begins when normal cells in the mucosa become overactive. These overactive cells form a small benign tumor called an adenoma. Abnormal cell changes continue, ultimately turning into cancer. Several genes play a role in colorectal cancer, too.

Some risk factors for the disease are: �small growths in the colon called colorectal polyps �polyp syndromes, which means that colorectal polyps form frequently �a family history of colorectal cancer � ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the bowel mucus, or inflammation of the colon that results in ulcers �environmental factors �smoking

Certain foods increase the risk for getting this disease, such as: �eating a lot of meat �eating a diet high in fat and low in fiber

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