Le COVID-19 Capturing the full attention of healthcare professionals, the treatment of many deadly diseases has been hit hard – cancer is one of them, say experts. The second leading cause of death worldwide, cancer accounted for an estimated 9.6 million deaths in 2018. Of the 9.6 million cancer deaths, colorectal cancer – the most common cancer – contributed 1.80 million deaths, reported Dr. Deep Goel, Chief Executive, consultant robotic surgeon, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Bariatric & Miniature Surgery, BLK Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi.
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer CRC is a cancer that starts in the colon (large intestine) or rectum. Both of these organs are in the lower part of the digestive system. The rectum is at the end of the colon. CRC usually attacks older adults when they are in their seventies or older. However, it can happen at any age.
Building on the incidence and mortality of CRC, Dr Goel said, “This is the third most common cancer and the fourth most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Prophecy about the future burden of the disease is to inform health planners and raise awareness about the need for cancer control action. Colorectal cancer may not have any symptoms, especially in the early stages. However, any harmful conditions such as constipation, diarrhea, changes in stool color, blood in the stool, swelling from the rectum, excess gas, abdominal cramps and abdominal pain may occur. ”
Treatment of colorectal cancer depends on several factors. (Source: Thinkstock Images)
What are the reasons?
“There are so many things cancer develop. It can be caused by genetic mutations, either inherited or inherited. These mutations do not promise to lead to the development of colorectal cancer, but they do increase chances. Some mutations can cause neural cells to accumulate in the lining of the colon, forming polyps. There are several risk factors that work alone or in combination to increase a person’s chances of developing colorectal cancer. Lifestyle-related risk factors such as dietary factors including red meat (such as beef, pork, lamb, or liver) increase risk. Similarly, cooking meat at very high temperatures (frying, boiling, or grilling) creates chemicals that increase risk. However, diets high in vegetables, fruit and whole grains along with increased physical activity have been associated with lower risk, ”he said.
Diagnosis and treatment
The severity of a diagnosis with treatments then determines the level of treatment of any disease. So in such a situation, early is better; the delay is fatal. Diagnostic techniques such as colonoscopy and biopsy are most commonly used – the most accurate ones, CT / MRI / PET scan, and tumor marker (CEA). Similarly, the most popular screening methods used are colonoscopy / sigmoidoscopy, and FOBT (Fecal Blood Test).
In the treatment of colorectal cancer, it depends on several factors. Your overall health condition and the stage of colorectal cancer will help your doctor create a treatment plan. In the early stages of colorectal cancer, your surgeon may be able to remove cancerous polyps through surgery. If the polyp is not attached to the abdominal wall, you are likely to have a good appearance. As well, radiation therapy and chemotherapy therapy are also used for treatment.
In addition to the standard treatment method for colorectal cancer, there will be newer technologies such as Liquid Biopsy, Minimal Invasive (Keyhole), Robotic, Personal Chemotherapy, Targeted chemotherapy, and Gene editing has been widely used, Dr. Goel said.
Because each model has its own significance, laparoscopic / robotic surgery has distinct advantages. “This procedure reduces pain, helps restore abdominal activity, reduces the length of time they stay in hospital after surgery, reduces complications associated with injuries. , brings less disability and ultimately gives a better cosmic result, ”he said.
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