Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or large bowel cancer or rectal cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. With 655,000 deaths worldwide per year, it is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. In the United States, it is the fourth most common cancer in men and women. Caught early, it is often curable. It is more common in people over 50, and the risk increases with age. Symptoms can include blood in the stool, narrower stools, a change in bowel habits and general stomach discomfort. However, you may not have symptoms at first, so screening is important. Everyone who is 50 or older should be screened for colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy is one method that your doctor can use to screen for colorectal cancer. Treatments for colorectal cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of treatments.
You are also more likely to get it if you have:
• Polyps - growths inside the colon and rectum that may become cancerous
• A diet that is high in fat
• A family history or personal history of colorectal cancer
• Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
This study evaluated incidence rate, presentation, treatment and outcome of colon cancer over a 25 year period. The setting was Levanger Hospital, Norway involving 869 patients with colon cancer from 1980-2004. The results were the incidence of colon cancer increased 2.1 percent each year. Patients presented with fewer advanced stages during the later years and this also pertained to fewer patients having emergency presentation with obstruction. There was an increase from 56 percent to 98 percent for operations performed by colorectal specialists. A significant decrease from 6.3 percent to 3.2 percent of postoperative mortality after resection with curative intent was observed. Recurrence rate of colon cancer after curative surgery was 10.9 percent in 1980-89, 5.9 percent in 1990-99 and 0.6 percent in 2000-04. These results indicate that colon cancer in all aspects that were studied had improved significantly over the 25 year period.1
1Jullumstro E, Wibe A, Lydersen S, et al. Colon cancer incidence, presentation, treatment and outcomes over 25 years. Colorectal Dis. 2010.