Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer in which cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control. Cancer begins with forming clumps of cells known as polyps in the large intestine. Polyps grow slowly and in a few numbers during the early stage of cancer. Over time, some polyps go through mutations and turned into colorectal cancer. Therefore, doctors recommend regular screening tests to find out the colorectal cancer-causing polyps at an early stage and to have surgery as soon as possible. Over the past few years, many have looked for the best colorectal surgeon in Singapore.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer
Signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include:
- Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool.
- Change in bowel habits such as constipation, diarrhea, narrowing of the stool, bowel incontinence, and incomplete evacuation.
- Anemia is a shortage of red blood cells, the cells that are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. If you are suffering from anemia, you may experience shortness of breath. You may feel tired, sluggish, and fatigued.
Which parts of the body are affected by colorectal cancer?
The colon (large intestine) is a 5 to a 6-foot-long tube that connects the small intestine to the rectum. There are several parts of the colon which get affected by colorectal cancer.
- Ascending colon: – This is the section where undigested food moves upwards and where fluid is reabsorbed more efficiently.
- Transverse colon: – The transverse colon takes the food from one side of the body to the other (right to left).
- Descending colon: – Once the food traveled across through the transverse colon, the descending colon makes its way downward generally on the left side.
- Sigmoid colon: – This is the final portion of the colon and has shaped like “S”.
The rectum is a 5 to 6-inch-long chamber that connects the large intestine to the anus. It is the section where waste is stored before the evacuation.
Colorectal cancer surgery terms
- Polypectomy: – Polypectomy is a process in which polyps and small growths on the inner lining of the colon are removed. This is done by passing a wire loop through the colonoscope.
- Local excision: – Local excision may treat cancer in the rectum. It involves removing cancer and some wall of the rectum.
- Resection: – It includes the removal of part of all colons with cancer and nearby tissues.
