سرطان القولون والمستقيم

Definition

Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumour usually arising from adenomatous polyps that transform slowly over years.

Risk factors

Age, family history, inflammatory bowel disease, processed meat, obesity, smoking, alcohol and inactivity.

Symptoms

• Change in bowel habit (constipation and diarrhoea)
• Blood in stool
• Unexplained iron-deficiency anaemia
• Weight loss, fatigue and abdominal pain
• May first present as bowel obstruction

Screening

From age 45 for average risk: colonoscopy every 10 years or yearly faecal immunochemical testing; earlier with strong family history.

Treatment

• Surgical resection, sometimes with a stoma
• Chemotherapy, and radiotherapy for rectal cancer

Nursing care

• Stoma care teaching
• Psychological and nutritional support

Exam point

Iron-deficiency anaemia in a man or postmenopausal woman means GI blood loss until proven otherwise and needs endoscopy.