Killer Cancers: Hidden
In The Depths
Article contributed by:
Raffles Medical Group
Colorectal
cancer is the leading
cancer in Singapore.
Worldwide, 655,000
people die from
colorectal cancer each
year. Many
colorectal cancers are
thought to arise from
adenomatous polyps in
the colon. These
mushroom-like growths
are usually benign, but
some may develop into
cancer over time.
Diagnosis of colon
cancer is currently done
through a combination of
blood test, stool test
and colonoscopy.
“It is important to
diagnose colon cancer
early,” said
Dr Ng Chin, General
Surgeon
of Raffles Surgery
Centre, “as up to 95%
of early cancers can be
cured with an operation.
Early diagnosis can also
halt the progression of
cancer.”
Treatment of colorectal
cancer is stage
dependent.
Early-stage colorectal
cancer is potentially
curable. When
colorectal cancer has
spread to other organs,
the cancer is less
likely to be curable.
Surgery is the
mainstay of treatment.
Chemotherapy and
radiotherapy may be
required,
depending on the
staging.
“The aim of curative
surgery,” explained
Dr Wong Kutt Sing,
General Surgeon,
Raffles Surgery Centre,
“is to completely
remove the
cancer-bearing segment
of the bowel with
adequate margins and
radical en-bloc
resection of its
mesentery
and lymph nodes.”
Laparoscopic
colectomy is a minimally
invasive
(keyhole) surgical
technique to
treat colorectal cancer.
Potential benefits
of this technique
include smaller
incisions,
less
postoperative pain,
earlier return of
bowel function,
earlier resumption of
oral
intake, shorter
hospital stay and
earlier
return to normal
activities. The
main
disadvantage of
laparoscopic colectomy
is increased
operating time.
Long-term studies
comparing laparoscopic
and open
colectomy have
demonstrated
equivalent
survival rates between
the
2 techniques.
One study from Spain
showed better
survival in Stage 3
colon
cancer in
patients who have
undergone
laparoscopic
colectomy.
Although it may
be hidden in the depths
of your bowels,
colorectal cancer can be
prevented through
regular screening and
the removal of polyps.
“Early diagnosis means a
better chance of
successful treatment,”
advised Dr Wong.
“Screening should begin
at age 50 for all
average risk individuals
or sooner if you have a
family history of
colorectal cancer,
symptoms, or a personal
history
of inflammatory bowel
disease.”
Return
to Top
Risk Factors
|
►
|
|
|
► |
|
|
► |
|
Inflammatory bowel
disease (IBD)
|
|
|
► |
|
Diet high in
saturated fats, such
as red meat
|
|
|
►
|
|
Personal or family
history of cancer
|
|
|
► |
|
|
► |
|
|
► |
|
|
►
|
|
Return
to Top
Symptoms
|
►
|
Change in bowel
habits: diarrhoea,
constipation, or a
feeling that the
bowel does not empty
completely
|
|
► |
Bright red or dark
blood in stool
|
|
► |
Stools appear
narrower or thinner
than usual
|
|
► |
Discomfort in the
abdomen, including
frequent gas pains,
bloating, fullness,
and cramps
|
|
►
|
Unexplained weight
loss, constant
tiredness, or
unexplained anaemia |
Return
to Top
Screening Tests
|
►
|
Colonoscopy |
|
► |
Virtual colonography |
|
► |
Sigmoidoscopy |
|
► |
Fecal occult blood
test |
|
►
|
Double contrast
barium enema |
|
► |
Stool DNA test |
Return
to Top
Article contributed by:
Raffles Medical Group
Dated: June 2011
|
Raffles
Medical
Group is
a leading
medical
group and
the largest
private
group
practice in
Singapore.
As a fully
integrated
healthcare
organisation,
the Group
owns and
operates a
network of
family
medicine
clinics, a
tertiary
care private
hospital,
insurance
services and
a consumer
healthcare
division.
Patients of
the Group
enjoy a
continuum of
care, from
having their
most basic
healthcare
needs met
through the
Group’s
islandwide
network of
Raffles
Medical
clinics, to
specialist
and tertiary
care at
Raffles
Hospital. |
Back to
Table of Contents