● TMU PROTON CENTER
Colorectal Cancer
Menu
What is Colorectal Cancer ?
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Taiwan and has ranked among the top ten cancers for over a decade. It can affect anyone. In general, colorectal cancer in its early stages presents few or no obvious symptoms, but it can be detected early through regular screening, allowing for timely treatment. According to statistics, early-stage colorectal cancer, if properly treated, has a survival rate of over 90%.
Common causes of colorectal cancer
There are many factors that contribute to the development of colorectal cancer, with lifestyle and dietary habits being the most significant. Common causes include:
- High-fat, low-fiber diet: A diet high in fatty foods—such as red meat, processed meats, and trans fats—and low in fiber-rich foods like vegetables and fruits may increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
- Lack of physical activity: A sedentary lifestyle and lack of regular exercise are also considered risk factors.
- Intestinal diseases: Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, may increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
- Genetic factors: Certain genetic mutations, especially in individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer, can increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer
Symptoms of colorectal cancer can vary between individuals, but some signs may indicate its presence:
- a. Irregular abdominal pain or cramping: Patients may experience pain, bloating, or discomfort in the abdomen. This is often related to the tumor’s size and location.
- b. Changes in bowel habits: Colorectal cancer can cause irregular bowel movements, including constipation, diarrhea, or blood in the stool.
- c. Bloody stool: Blood in the stool may appear red or dark, depending on the tumor’s location in the colon or rectum.
- d. Unexplained weight loss: Some patients may experience a decrease in appetite and weight loss, possibly due to the tumor consuming the body’s energy.
Staging of Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer staging is an important tool for evaluating tumor size, depth of invasion, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis. The international TNM staging system is commonly used and includes the following stages:
- Stage 0: Precancerous lesion. Cancer cells are confined to the surface layer of the mucosa and have not invaded deeper tissues.
- Stage I: The tumor has invaded the mucosal and muscular layers of the intestinal wall but has not spread to lymph nodes or other tissues.
- Stage II: The tumor invades deeper tissue layers and may involve nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage III: The tumor spreads to surrounding tissues and regional lymph nodes.
- Stage IV: The cancer has metastasized to distant organs such as the lungs, liver, or other remote areas.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer
Early diagnosis and treatment significantly improve the chances of recovery and long-term outcomes. Common diagnostic and treatment approaches include:
- Colonoscopy: One of the primary methods for detecting colorectal cancer. It allows visual inspection of the colon and rectum and the collection of biopsy samples for diagnosis.
- Imaging tests: CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound are used to assess the size, location, and spread of the tumor.
- Surgical resection: For early-detected colorectal cancers, surgical removal of the tumor and surrounding tissues is the main treatment.
- Radiation therapy: In some cases, radiation may be used to shrink the tumor, prevent recurrence, or treat residual cancer after surgery.
- Chemotherapy: Anti-cancer drugs are used to kill cancer cells and may be administered alone or in combination with surgery and radiation.
- Targeted therapy: Certain drugs specifically target molecules involved in cancer cell growth and spread, aiming to inhibit tumor progression.
- Proton therapy: Proton therapy is a type of radiation treatment used for colorectal and other cancers. It uses high-energy proton beams to precisely target and treat tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Compared to conventional radiation therapy, proton therapy offers more accurate tumor targeting and a lower risk of side effects.
Online Appointment
We warmly invite you to schedule an online consultation. Our dedicated team will reach out to you promptly.
GET IN TOUCH.