Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Adenocarcinomas: These are the most common type of Colon Cancer and
originate in glands. They account for about 90-95 percent of all colorectal
Cancers and have two subtypes, Mucinous and signet ring cell. The Mucinous
subtype comprises about 10-15 percent of Adenocarcinomas while the signet ring
cell subtype comprises less than 0.1 percent of Adenocarcinomas.
Lymphomas: These are the rare and are more likely to start in the rectum than in
the Colon. However, lymphomas that start somewhere else in the body are more
likely to spread to the Colon than to the rectum.
Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or large bowel cancer, includes
cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. Colorectal cancers arise
from adenomatous polyps in the colon. These mushroom-shaped growths are
usually benign, but some develop into cancer over time. Localized colon cancer
is usually diagnosed through colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy: An endoscope is inserted into the rectum and advanced through the
colon, through this the doctor can examine the entire colon.
Endoscopic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be used to
stage rectal cancer.
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) along with Complete blood count (CBC to check for
anemia and CT, MRI or PET scans of the abdomen, pelvic area.
The staging of colon cancer helps doctors determine a course of treatment. Staging is
done on a scale from 0 to 4, with the higher stages indicating a cancer than has spread
more throughout the body.
Stage 0: In this stage, the cancer hasnt grown beyond the inner layer of the colon or
rectum.
Stage I: The cancer has spread through the colons inner lining, but hasnt spread
beyond the colon wall or rectum.
Stage II: The cancer has grown through the colon or rectal wall, but hasnt spread to
nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III: The cancer has invaded nearby lymph nodes but isnt affecting other parts of
the body.
Stage IV: The cancer has metastasized throughout the body to sites such as the liver,
lung, ovaries or the lining of the abdominal cavity.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy beams or other types
of radiation to kill cancer cells. There are two types of radiation therapy. External
radiation therapy uses linear accelerators outside the body to send radiation
toward the cancer. Internal radiation therapy (Brachytherapy) uses a radioactive
substance sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters that are placed directly into
or near the cancer. The way the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and
stage of the cancer being treated.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer
cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping the cells from dividing. When
chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter
the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic
chemotherapy). When chemotherapy is placed directly in the cerebrospinal fluid,
an organ, or a body cavity such as the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer
cells in those areas (regional chemotherapy). The way the chemotherapy is given
depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances to
identify and attack specific cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Monoclonal antibody therapy is a type of targeted therapy being studied in the
treatment of rectal cancer.
Monoclonal antibody therapy uses antibodies made in the laboratory from a
single type of immune system cell. These antibodies can identify substances
on cancer cells or normal substances that may help cancer cells grow. The
antibodies attach to the substances and kill the cancer cells, block their
growth, or keep them from spreading. Monoclonal antibodies are given by
infusion. They may be used alone or to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive
material directly to cancer cells.
How it Works