(Clinical Imaging) (Cancer) (Surgery)

Overview

• 3rd most common cancer in the western world, 2nd most common cause of cancer death in the west
• Majority are adenocarcinomas derived from epithelial cells
• 60% rectum & sigmoid, 30% descending, 10% rest of colon
• Peak incidence between 65-74 yrs old
• Risk Factors → Increasing age, Family History, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Associated Conditions (Polyps, IBD), Smoking, Alcohol, T2DM, Obesity, Lynch Syndrome

Types of Colon Cancer = sporadic (95%), hereditary non-polyposis colorectal carcinoma (HNPCC, 5% - most common inheritable form), familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP, <1%).

Making Diagnosis

Clinical Features:

• Rectal Bleeding → mixed in with stool
• Change in bowel habit (increased frequency or looser stool)
• Anaemia (Iron Deficiency) symptoms + signs → eg. fatigue, SOB, pallor
• Tenesmus → feeling of incomplete emptying
• FLAWS
• Hepatomegaly → if liver metastases