Colorectal Cancer

Clinical Services Department MC-21

Colorectal Cancer

Signs and symptoms

Colorectal cancer may not cause symptoms right away, but given the opposite, it can cause one or more of the following symptoms:

•A change in evacuation habits such as diarrhea, constipation or reduced stool diameter.•A feeling of needing to go to the bathroom that does not go away after having a bowel movement•Rectal bleeding with bright red blood•Blood in the stool that can cause the stool to look dark•Colic or abdominal pain•Weakness and tiredness•Unexplained weight lossMany of these symptoms are caused by conditions other than colorectal cancer, such as infections, hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, if you have any of these problems, it is important that you consult your doctor immediately so that the cause can be determined and treatment started if necessary.

Screening tests

Several screening tests are now recommended starting at age 50 for colorectal cancer such as:

Stool tests

Flexible sigmoidoscopy

Colonoscopy

Computed tomography colonoscopy (virtual colonoscopy)

What is colorectalcancer?

Colorectal cancer is one that originates in the colon or rectum and is commonly called colon cancer or rectal cancer (rectum) depending on where it originates. This begins as a growth in the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths are referred to as polyps.

Your risk of getting colorectal cancer increases as you get older. More than 90% of cases correspond to people 50 years of age or older.

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Colorectal Cancer

REFERENCES:https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer.htmlhttps://www.cancer.net/es/tipos-de-cáncer/cáncer-colorrectal/tipos-de-tratamientohttps://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/index.htm

Non Pharmacological Treatment

Targeted therapyTargeted therapy is a treatment that targets cancer-specific genes or proteins, or tissue conditions that contribute to cancer growth and survival. This type of treatment blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells and, at the same time, limits damage to healthy cells. Side effects of targeted treatments may include a rash on the face and upper body that can be prevented or alleviated with treatments such as Avastin, Cyramza, Erbitux, Stivarga, among others. Side effects of targeted therapy can last for a short time or they may last through the end of your cancer treatment and beyond. A few ways to help you manage side effects and symptoms of targeted cancer therapy include: maintaining a healthy diet and getting enough rest. Skin reactions may be more severe or last longer than with other types of treatment, and you may be prescribed an antihistamine or steroid cream to help with the itching and dryness.

ImmunotherapyImmunotherapy, also called biological therapy, is designed to stimulate the body's natural defenses to fight cancer. It uses materials produced by the body or manufactured in a laboratory to improve, direct, or restore the function of the immune system. The most frequent side effects of immunotherapy may include fatigue, rash, diarrhea, nausea, fever, muscle pain, bone pain, joint pain, abdominal pain, itching, vomiting, cough, decreased appetite, and difficulty. Some ways to manage this side effects are:

Sandostatin, a long acting injection and over-the-counter medicines for diarrhea

Rest when you are tired.

Ingest foods and liquids at room temperature.

Salt water mouth rinses, topical anesthetics, coating agents (Kaopectate, etc.) for opportunistic infections in the mouth.

Pain medications

Remember to follow-up with your routine medical appointments. This educational material is not intended to substitute a consult with your physician or nearest pharmacist.

ChemotherapyChemotherapy can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, neuropathy, or mouth sores. In addition, you can get fatigue and have a higher risk of getting an infection. With some medications, neuropathy can also occur, which is the tingling or numbness of the feet or hands. Hair loss is a rare side effect with medications used to treat colorectal cancer. Most of these side effects disappear over time after completing treatment. Many times there are ways to lessen these side effects. For example, medications may be given to help prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting like Emetrol, which is available over the counter or Zofran with prescription.

Local treatments treat the tumor without affecting the rest of the body. These treatments are more likely to be effective for cancers in earlier stages. The types of local therapy used for colorectal cancer are: surgery, ablation and embolization, and radiotherapy.

Pharmacological Treatments

These are systemic therapies by mouth or directly into the bloodstream that can reach cancer cells throughout the body. These treatments are: chemotherapy, targeted therapy medications for colorectal cancer, or immunotherapy.