[이데일리 이순용 기자] About 29,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year in Korea, and the mortality rate is the third highest after lung cancer and liver cancer. Find out more about ‘colon cancer’, which is more fatal because it has no early symptoms, with the help of Professor Lim Ran-ro of Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital (a specialist in colorectal and anal surgery).
Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the colon and rectum. There are no symptoms in the early stages, but ‘bloody stool’ occurs only when it progresses to a certain extent. If it progresses further, ‘intestinal obstruction’ and ‘abdominal bloating’ appear, where the tumor blocks the large intestine and makes it difficult to defecate. If it persists, ‘intestinal perforation’ and ‘peritonitis’ appear, which is fatal to life.
In most cases of colorectal cancer, the cause is unknown. It is known that an ‘adenomatous polyp’ that occurs in the colonic mucosal gland cells turns into a ‘malignant tumor’ over time. About 5 to 15% are caused by genetic factors, and the risk of developing the disease increases if there is an underlying disease such as inflammatory bowel disease. According to a recent study, the incidence of colorectal cancer is high in countries with high meat and alcohol consumption and obesity index.
Diagnosis is first confirmed by confirming the lesion through a colonoscopy and confirming the diagnosis through a histological examination. In addition, abdominal ultrasound, CT, PET-CT, MRI, blood test, fecal occult blood test, rectal finger test, rectal ultrasonography, etc. can be used for diagnosis.
In the early stages of colorectal cancer, it is possible to remove the tumor with endoscopic surgery, but if it is advanced enough, surgical treatment that completely separates and removes the tumor is required. The operation removes the large intestine far enough away from the tumor center and also extensively resections the surrounding lymph glands.
In addition, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are combined to improve the treatment effect, preserve the anus, prevent recurrence, and prolong life. Recently, targeted therapies are used for recurrent or metastatic cancer, or in combination with chemotherapy.
To prevent colorectal cancer, the most important thing is to improve your diet. If the total daily calorie intake is more than the recommended amount, reduce the intake and avoid excessive red meat and high-protein and high-fat diets as much as possible. High fiber and calcium intake lowers the risk of colorectal cancer. In addition, it is good to maintain an appropriate weight through appropriate physical activity, and to reduce smoking and alcohol consumption.
Professor Lim Dae-ro said, “If treatment is delayed, colon cancer will spread to other organs, making it difficult to cure. Therefore, in addition to managing your diet, if you are over 40, even if you do not have any symptoms, you need to detect colorectal cancer at an early stage and actively treat it through regular check-ups to increase the survival rate and quality of life.”