...A Review of Colorectal Cancer The colon and rectum both preform major functions daily in the digestion system. The colon absorbs water and converts the leftover food into indigestible fecal matter. The rectum stores the fecal matter until it is time to dispose of it. Colorectal cancer occurs when the cells of these two organs become mutated and divide rapidly. Unless colorectal cancer is detected early, more often than not, it becomes deadly. When food enters the digestion system, it travels through the esophagus, the stomach, the small intestine, and then enters the colon. When it leaves the small intestine, it is a semisolid material that has already lost most of its nutritional value in the small intestine, but what is left are the indigestible carbohydrates and fibrous materials. If there are any important vitamins or minerals that the body could use, they are extracted by mixing it with the mucus and bacteria found in the colon (Almeida 316). There are four different sections of the colon: the ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon. Each section of the colon has a crypt style, where there are many “waves” that make the colon squeeze a lot more length into a lot less space. Within the colon’s epithelial layer of cells, there are three different types of cells. Two of the three types may become cancerous, and these are the absorptive and goblet cells. They are found throughout the colon, and are more common throughout the epithelium than the third type,...
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...As we get older, it is not uncommon to hear about friends, classmates, relatives, etc. passing away at an age that these days seem young. Cancer has been the cause of so many deaths that whether I held a close relationship to the deceased person or some other connection, I automatically assume it was due to cancer. Unfortunately, for the most part, my guess is right. Cancer appears in so many faces and excludes no one. Briefly reading through the various types of cancer, it seems that some of the risk factors make you feel you should live in a bubble. From what medications to avoid to holistic therapies to diet changes, the means of prevention and management are seemingly endless much like the disease and its variety. Today however, we will focus on colorectal cancer. While many such as myself believe that lung or pancreatic cancer are the leading causes of deaths related to cancer, I, we, are sadly misinformed and mistaken. Let’s take a closer look. Colorectal Cancer Explained Colorectal cancer, the leading cause of death from cancer in the United States, is a type of cancer that begins in the colon or rectum (University of Phoenix, 2010). The illness can be referred to as either depending on where the disease began. Risk factors for colorectal cancer include age, long standing ulcerative colitis, race such as African American, inherited syndromes, low fiber high fat diets, obesity, smoking, and not participating in an active lifestyle. Unfortunately some of the...
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...Genomics school Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer is a genetic disorder. Colorectal cancer may cause one or more of the symptoms below: • A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days • A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by doing so • Rectal bleeding, dark stools, or blood in the stool (often, though, the stool will look normal) • Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain • Weakness and fatigue • Unintended weight loss Most of these symptoms are more often caused by conditions other than colorectal cancer, such as infection, hemorrhoids, or inflammatory bowel disease. Still, if you have any of these problems, it's important to see your doctor right away so the cause can be found and treated, if needed. (“FITWAY,” 2013) Colorectal cancer would be diagnosed after having a colonoscopy that would hopefully reveal the cause of the bleeding, change in bowels, etc. If there is colon polyps the surgeons will remove the polyps during the procedure. If the polyps and/or mass are too big to remove during the colonoscopy the surgeons will schedule patient for an abdominal procedure to remove it. Men and women both can equally be affected by colorectal cancer as they increase in age. This type of cancer occurs more often in people age 50 and over but is not limited to these ages...
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...Reference | Synopsis | Relevance | 1. I-Min Lee1, 2. Ralph S. Paffenbarger Jr., 3. Chung-cheng Hsieh (1991) , Physical Activity and Risk of Developing Colorectal Cancer Among College Alumni, http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/83/18/1324.short | This article shows us that people who are inactive have a higher risk of Colorectal Cancer then people who are active. This study was taken from 17148 Harvard alumni. Every part of the participant’s physical activity was looked at including walking, going up and down stairs and sports play. Highly active participants had less of a chance of developing Colorectal Cancer then those who were moderately active. However, increased physical activity had no effect on protecting rectal cancer. | This is relevant because it shows us that with less physical activity there is a greater chance illness will occur in the longterm. | 1. Penny Gordon-Larsen, PhD, 2. Robert G. McMurray, PhD,Barry M. Popkin, PhD (1999), Determinants of Adolescent Physical Activity and Inactivity Patterns, http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/105/6/e83.short | This article shows us that different social types of school students cause the levels of physical activity to decrease depending on race and social class. The study was taken from the 1996 National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health on 17766 US adolescents enrolled in Us middle and high schools. The students took a questionnaire describing the hours of the week they were inactive...
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...Colonoscopy vs. Colposcopy Jennifer was confusing colonoscopy procedure with colposcopy procedure. The colonoscopy is a procedure where the doctor examines the colon. It is used to see the colon and rectum to detect inflamed tissues, ulcers, and abnormal growths. Also this procedure helps to detect early signs of colorectal cancer and can help the doctors diagnose unexplained changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bleeding from the anus, and weight loss. The procedure on average takes about thirty minutes to an hour to perform. The procedure that Jennifer confused with colonoscopy is colposcopy. Colposcopy is a procedure that is used to evaluate a patient with an abnormal pap smear. The doctor will do an annual pap smear and when the results are abnormal that’s when the doctor will request a colposcopy to be done. Sometimes the gynecologist may also order a colposcopy if the cervix appears abnormal during pelvic exam or pap smear. The procedure is normally fifteen to twenty minutes long. The gynecologist uses a colposcope, a large microscope that is positioned approximately 30 cm from the vagina, to view the cervix. A bright light on the end of the colposcope lets the doctor clearly see the cervix. The reason why it is important for a biller and coder to know the difference between the two is the cost and how to bill the insurance company. The average cost of colonoscopy exam runs about 0-$1,000.00 if covered under benefits. A colonoscopy often is covered under...
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...REASON PROCEDURE: Colonoscopy. INDICATIONS Surveillance colonoscopy. Personal history of colonic polyps. Previous colonoscopy greater than three years ago. DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURE Timeout was called. Consent signed. Perianal exam normal. Rectal exam normal. Preparation was adequate. The forward-viewing colonoscope was advanced to the cecum necessitating change in body position as well as abdominal wall pressure. In the right colon residual stool was present. FINDINGS Cecum and ascending colon: In the proximal ascending colon, along the medial wall I was lucky to find what appears to be a 1-2 cm carcinoma. This appears to be infiltrating, therefore, only biopsies were taken. The lesion was not removed. The area also was tattooed...
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...By Various Methods Rebecca Bruce Oklahoma City University Abstract Colorectal cancer screening (CRC-S) should be a simple, safe, convenient, and inexpensive as possible, with high sensitivity and specificity that allows increased patient participation (Stevenson, 1991). As the third leading cause of US cancer-related deaths, colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious health concern (CDC, 2014). In 2007, an estimated 158,500 people in the United States were diagnosed with CRC and an estimated 53,000 people died from colon cancer related deaths (ACA, 2014). A goal of healthcare professionals should be to provide education and outreach to all eligible patients for colorectal cancer screening at every possible opportunity. This goal will involve many different screening methods or a combination of these methods. The effort to reach more patients for CRC-S is a group effort among all disciplines and education levels. Keywords: colon cancer, colorectal screening, patient participation, screening methods CRC-S Increasing By Various Methods In the United States, Colorectal cancer can be prevented by the detection and removal of adenomatous polyps. Whenever possible, providers should educate and discuss with their patients the various methods available. Background and Significance The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) currently recommends screening for colorectal cancer using high-sensitivity fecal occult blood testing, flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy...
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...Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States when men and women are considered separately, and the second leading cause when both sexes are combined. It is expected to cause about 51,690 deaths during 2012. The death rate from colorectal cancer has been dropping in both men and women for more than 20 years due to improved screening techniques and treatment for colorectal cancer has improved over the last several years. As a result, there are now more than 1 million survivors of colorectal cancer in the United States. Colon and rectum cancers are sometimes referred to together as "colorectal cancer", usually grow in the lining of the large intestine. It is a disease in which normal cells in the lining of the colon or rectum begin to change, start to grow uncontrollably, and no longer die. These changes usually take years to develop; however, in some cases of hereditary disease, changes can occur within months to years (Ahnen, 2006). Both genetic and environmental factors can cause the changes. Initially, the cell growth appears as a benign polyp that can, over time, become a cancerous tumor. If not treated or removed, a polyp can become a potentially life-threatening cancer. Recognizing and removing precancerous polyps before they become cancer can prevent colorectal cancer. Over 95% of colorectal cancers are adenocarcinomas. These are cancers of the glandular cells that line the inside of the colon and...
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...research became available from Thomas Jefferson University in regards to colon cancer and the hormone guanylin. According to the research, Thomas Jefferson University studied tissue samples form 281 colon cancer patients. The tissue consisted of cancerous tissue from the colon and tissue surrounding the organ that was not cancerous. It was during the studying of the tissue samples that researchers realized that the cancerous tissue showed a diminished or absence of the hormone guanylin (University, 2014). In more than 85% of the colon cancer patients the hormone had decreased by 100 to 1,000 times its normal level. Researchers stained slices of tissue to check for the presence of guanylin, but the results were negative. Scott Walden, M.D, Ph.D., the senior author on the study, stated “The fact that the vast majority of cancers stop producing this hormone leads us to believe that guanylin may be driving the growth of the tumors” (University, 2014). He also stated that if the belief is true it would be possible to prevent colon cancer by using hormone replacement therapy that included guanylin. Dr. Waldman is Chair of the Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics and the Samuel MV Hamilton Professor at Thomas Jefferson University (University, 2014). In regards to determining how guanylin hormone therapy will affect colon cancer, the next step it to test whether is prevents colon cancer or inhibits the growth of tumors in mice. Human studies will follow. In the...
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...What is Colon Cancer? * Colon cancer is cancer that occurs in the cells of the colon. Colon cancer is quite common, being the third most common cancer in men and women in the U.S. About 110,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with colon cancer each year. * Some health experts consider colon and rectum cancers as one group, called colorectal cancer. Others treat these two cancers as completely separate: colon cancer and rectum (rectal) cancer. * In addition to the approximately 110,000 new cases of colon cancer each year, there are an additional 40,000 cases of rectal cancer, bringing the combined total of colon and rectal (colorectal) cancer to approximately 150,000 new cases per year. Types of Colon Cancer * About 95% of all colon cancers are adenocarcinomas. The other 5% of colon cancers are made up of less common cell types including neuroendocrine tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), carcinoid tumors, lymphomas, melanomas, leiomyosarcomas, and signet ring cell tumors. * Some of these cell types may sound familiar to you, because they occur in other parts of the body, too. For example, melanoma most commonly occurs in the skin, but it can occur in the colon and other areas, as well. What are the symptoms of colon cancer? * Symptoms of colorectal cancer are numerous and nonspecific. They include: fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, change in bowel habits, narrowstools,diarrhea or constipation, red or dark blood...
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...com/1472-6963/12/481 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Unsupported off-label chemotherapy in metastatic colon cancer Jonas A de Souza1,2*, Blase Polite1,2,3, Monica Perkins4, Neal J Meropol5, Mark J Ratain1,2,6, Lee N Newcomer4 and G Caleb Alexander7 Abstract Background: Newer systemic therapies have the potential to decrease morbidity and mortality from metastatic colorectal cancer, yet such therapies are costly and have side effects. Little is known about their non-evidence-based use. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using commercial insurance claims from UnitedHealthcare, and identified incident cases of metastatic colon cancer (mCC) from July 2007 through April 2010. We evaluated the use of three regimens with recommendations against their use in the National Comprehensive Cancer Center Network Guidelines, a commonly used standard of care: 1) bevacizumab beyond progression; 2) single agent capecitabine as a salvage therapy after failure on a fluoropyridimidine-containing regimen; 3) panitumumab or cetuximab after progression on a prior epidermal growth factor receptor antibody. We performed sensitivity analyses of key assumptions regarding cohort selection. Costs from a payer perspective were estimated using the average sales price for the entire duration and based on the number of claims. Results: A total of 7642 patients with incident colon cancer were identified, of which 1041 (14%) had mCC. Of those, 139 (13%) potentially received at least one of the...
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...attitude about colon cancer screening among African Americans. The research process consists of nine parts that include; selecting a problem, formulating a hypothesis, reviewing the literature, listing the measures, describing the subjects, constructing a design, constructing and identifying measurement devices, analysis of the data, and generating conclusions (Neutens, Rubinson, 2010). Upon evaluating the research process to the article, the paper will discuss how the literature review is used in the research, what the ethical considerations are for data collection, what the data describes in terms of statistical analyses, whether or not the findings are statistically significant, state if the conclusions match the results of the study and if the conclusion answer the research question in the definition of the problem, explain whether or not the conclusions are appropriate, and detail if there is enough information on the effectiveness of the study. Research process components in the article The first step in the research process is selecting a problem that involves deciding what the research will focus on. Selecting the problem requires research to ask questions and communicate with peers who may also have knowledge of the research topic (Neutens, Rubinson, 2010). The problem selected in the article explains that lack of knowledge, personal attitude, and many barriers among African Americans leads to higher rates that result in not receiving colon cancer screenings (James,...
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...Colon Cancer in Woman Janet Oleskewicz HCS 245 Introduction to Health and Disease September 17, 2012 Timothy Coleman Colon Cancer in Woman Colon cancer is not only a “man’s disease” which is a common misconception but also effects woman equally. According to NetWellness (2010), “colon cancer ranks as the third most common cause of cancer deaths in women after breast and lung cancer”. More than 25,000 woman will die this year from colon cancer, accounting for approximately 10% of all deaths from cancer (Witt, M.D, 2012). Studies and experts say, women tend to be more opposed verses men about following up on their checkups and cancer screenings. Women are generally more willing to get possible unreassuringly symptoms that could point to cancer, but not always. Younger woman are more inclined to disregard signs that could point to cancer. They seem to think that cancer is more an issue of concern for the elderly. Often this is right however young people get cancer too. “Colon cancer is a cancer within the large intestine, the bottom portion of one’s digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last several inches of the colon. Together, they are often referred to as colorectal cancers. Most cases of colon cancer begin as small benign clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps” (MayoClinic, 2011). These are mushroom shaped cancerous tumors developments in the colon, rectum and appendix (Mote, 2012). In the beginning...
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...Colon Cancer Curtis Boutte COM/156 Kate Marciniak Colon Cancer can be cured through various medical procedures including early detection. I really was surprised to find out that if you do the screening process and not wait for symptoms it can save your life. Many people don’t realize that there are different colon cancers. Colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon [Large intestine] or rectum) is the third most common cancer in men and women. Cancer of the colon or rectum is called colon or colorectal cancer. It develops in the digestive tract from polyps that initially are benign, but that over time mutate into a cancerous tumor. The cancer cells invade and destroy nearby tissue, and can break away to form new tumors in other parts of the body, a process called metastasis. Colon cancer is very serious and can kill many people. I have had two grandparents die from this cancer. Colon cancer is not the leading killing cancer but is second to lung cancer. The following conditions may put you at a higher risk for colon cancer. Your family history according to (www.cancer .org) you are more likely to get colorectal cancer if one of your parents, a brother, or a sister has had the disease. If in the past you have had other types of cancer, a history of colon polyps, or inflammatory diseases of the bowl. Your lifestyle has a lot to do with your chances of getting colon cancer. If you smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol all the time, if you are lazy, obesity, and...
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...Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 53,196 Americans died from colon cancer in 2006 (the most recent year for available data). The disease affects slightly more men than women, and risk increases with age. Causes Excluding very rare types, colon cancer develops in the cells lining the inside of the colon and/or rectum. The colon, or large intestine, is a curving structure that continues the digestion of food from the small intestine, carries it down to the rectum for elimination. While there is no specific cause of colon cancer, certain factors can increase risk of developing the disease. These factors include genetics, diet and health. Individuals with a family history of colon cancer, especially if more than one relative has had the disease, are at increased risk. Also, two genetic syndromes, known as familial adenomatous polyposis and Lynch syndrome, have been associated with colon cancer. A diet rich in fat and red meat may increase disease risk. In addition, heavy alcohol use as well as smoking may contribute to a colon cancer diagnosis. Health factors such as obesity, diabetes and lack of exercise are associated with increased risk. Moreover, inflammatory disease such as other types of cancer or conditions such as ulcerative colitis can increase the likelihood of developing colon cancer. These risk factors, however, do not guarantee a diagnosis...
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