Eduardo Castillo, M.D., a colon and rectal surgeon on the medical staff of Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth answers frequently asked question about colorectal cancer.
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is a cancer that begins in the digestive system, namely the colon and rectum. It is the most common cancer in men and women.
What are the types of cancer in the colon and rectum?
Over 95% of colon and rectal cancers are Adenocarcinomas. Most colorectal cancers begin as growths called polyps. A type of polyp, known as adenoma, can continue to grow and become a cancer.
What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
In early stages, colorectal cancers usually cause no symptoms. As it grows it can cause several nonspecific symptoms such as: blood in the stool, a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, fatigue and occasionally, weight loss. It is important to note that these symptoms can occur with many different diseases and having one or multiple of these symptoms does not mean an individual has colon cancer.
What are the risk factors for colorectal cancer?
The exact cause of colon cancer is not known, but there are several risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing a colon cancer. These risk factors include: age greater than 50 years, a family history of colon cancer or polyps, a personal history of colon cancer or polyps, a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, a personal history of breast and ovarian cancer, a diet high in processed meats and red meats, a diet low in fiber, obesity, smoking, diabetes and heavy alcohol use.
What is the treatment for colorectal cancer?
Most colon cancers can probably be prevented by having recommended colonoscopies and removing polyps before they grow. Once a colorectal cancer develops, the treatment typically involves surgery, in which part of the colon is removed. Chemotherapy and radiation are sometimes added for more advanced colorectal cancers.
Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth or Baylor Health Care System.
Mary Johnson
817.922.7088
mary.johnson1@BaylorHealth.edu
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