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Colorectal cancer is a term
used to describe cancers (lumps, growths, tumours) of the colon (the
large intestine or bowel) and rectum. Together, they are one of the
most common cancers in the world. Tumours can be described as benign
or malignant. Benign tumours do not spread, but malignant tumours,
such as in colorectal cancer, are made up of cells that can spread
to and damage other parts of the body.
• The colon and rectum are part of the body's digestive system
and are also known as the large bowel.
• The colon is responsible for reabsorbing large amounts of
water and nutrients from undigested food products passing along it.
• The rectum is situated at the end of the colon and stores
the waste material before it is passed out of the body.
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Symtoms
Symptoms of colorectal cancer can include:
• A change in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation or a feeling
the bowel does not empty itself properly).
• Blood in the stools.
• General abdominal discomfort such as pains, bloating or
fullness.
• Unexplained weight loss, tiredness and vomiting.
However, many of these symptoms may also occur in association with
other conditions and therefore it is essential to see a doctor for
a correct diagnosis |
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Treatment
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Unlike many other tumours, the actual size
of the tumour is not the most important factor that determines
outcome. More important is how much the tumour has spread.
Doctors will do tests to 'stage' the cancer to determine how
best to treat it. Treatment of colorectal cancer will vary
depending on the extent of the disease:
• In the early stages, the main treatment will be surgery
to remove the tumour and surrounding tissue. In some cases,
no further treatment will be needed, as the cancer will have
been removed. Depending on individual circumstances, the surgeon
might be able to reconnect the intestines after removing the
tumour and thus avoid the need for a colostomy. This is not
always possible however, and a temporary or permanent colostomy
might be required in some people.
• Sometimes, it may be necessary to use other forms
of treatment in combination with surgery to reduce the chance
of the cancer coming back.
• In both cancer of the colon and rectum, chemotherapy
may be given in case any cancer cells have spread to other
parts of the body. These powerful medicines work by killing
cancer cells by stopping them from dividing and growing.
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Facts
In
November 2006, it was announced that a vaccine had been developed
and tested with very promising results. The new vaccine, called
TroVax, works in a totally different way to existing treatments
by harnessing the patient's own immune system to fight the disease.
Experts say this suggests that gene therapy vaccines could prove
an effective treatment for a whole range of cancers. Oxford BioMedica[5]
is the company behind the vaccine; it's a British company established
as a spin-out from Oxford University and specialises in the development
of gene-based treatments. Further vaccine trials are underway.
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2007 Dreamers |
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