Question 1

what sort of disease is colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Large bowel cancer: Colon and rectum form the large intestine (large bowel). Cancer of the large intestine is generally called colorectal cancer. Specifically, cancer of the colon is colon cancer. Cancer of the rectum is rectal cancer. People over 50 should have screening colonoscopy or occult blood test. Treatment for stages 1, 2, and 3 are mainly surgery. Chemo is for stages 3 and 4, and some stage 2.

Question 2

what are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Varied: Lesions of the right colon hard to dx early since bowel content is liquified. On left side, content is solid and if lesion present, obstruction  occurs if lesion circumferential or bleeding noted from irritation of hard stool against lesion.  On rt. as well as left side ideal time to define is before symptoms by routine colonoscopy

Question 3

what are my chances of recovery from colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Usually great.: Usually patients are able to make a great recovery after surgery for colorectal cancer, but it depends on multiple factors.  The main determinants are the stage of the cancer, and how healthy the patient is before the operation.  For patients whose tumors have not spread to lymph nodes there is about a > 85% chance of surviving 5 years. Spread to other organs significantly decreases survival.

Question 4

how are the survival rates for colorectal cancer known?

Accepted Answer

Statistics: Most states collect cancer data that provide the basis for incidence, mortality and survival rates.

Question 5

how unlikely would it be that a person in their late 20s would have colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

Rare: But it does happen and if strong family history and symptoms, blood in stools, etc., get it checked out.

Question 6

is colorectal cancer always fatal?

Accepted Answer

No: Most early colon cancers have a very high success rate of long term survival rate.  More advanced cancers that spread to other sites do not have the same success rates, but can still live for years.

Question 7

what is the pathology of colorectal cancer ?

Accepted Answer

Adenocarcinoma: Colorectal cancer is usually adenocarcinoma that developed from a underlying polyp. For details on staging visit http://www.Cap.Org/apps/cap.Portal?_nfpb=true&cntvwrptlt_actionoverride=%2fportlets%2fcontentviewer%2fshow&_windowlabel=cntvwrptlt&cntvwrptlt%7bactionform.Contentreference%7d=committees%2fcancer%2fcancer_protocols%2fprotocols_index.Html&_state=maximized&_pagelabel=cntvwr.

Question 8

what methods are used to screen a person for colorectal cancer?

Accepted Answer

'scopes, X-rays, etc: A number of different screening tests are available for colon ca. They include colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, ct colonography (virtual colonoscopy), and fecal occult blood testing. The pro's and con's of each are described here: http://www.Cancer.Gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/colorectal-screening
in general, colonoscopy is considered the "gold standard".

Question 9

how likely is it that i have colorectal cancer if my dad had it?

Accepted Answer

More likely.: Most colon cancer is from adenomatous polyps.  Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer comes from hmsh2 and hmlh1 genes on chromosomes 2 and 3 respectively which repair dna.  These have mutations that can lead to colon and other cancers.  Diagnosis needs three or more relatives with colon cancer, with one being a first degree relative, >1 case before 50, and >=2 generations.

Question 10

is stage 4 colorectal cancer curable?

Accepted Answer

Stage IV CRC: Colorectal cancer must be expertly staged. If so, the prognosis for stage IV crc is unfortunately very poor. That is, the 5-year survival is less than ten percent. 
So a very few people are 'cured'...
If this is you or someone close to you I am sorry to read this. Please get the best possible advice from an oncologist.

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Doctor answers about:

Colorectal cancer and folate

A member asked:

What sort of disease is colorectal cancer?

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What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?

A member asked:

What are my chances of recovery from colorectal cancer?

A member asked:

How are the survival rates for colorectal cancer known?

A member asked:

How unlikely would it be that a person in their late 20s would have colorectal cancer?

A member asked:

Is colorectal cancer always fatal?

A member asked:

What is the pathology of colorectal cancer ?

A member asked:

What methods are used to screen a person for colorectal cancer?

A member asked:

How likely is it that i have colorectal cancer if my dad had it?

A member asked:

Is stage 4 colorectal cancer curable?

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