Colorectal Cancer: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Stages, Diagnosis, Treatment, Cost & Risk

Colorectal cancer, which includes both colon and rectal cancer, is a major health concern worldwide. It originates in the colon or the rectum, where stool is kept. It is the third most prevalent cancer, with 106,180 new cases of colon cancer and 44,850 new cases of rectal cancer in 2022. It often begins as noncancerous polyps in the colon that may grow into malignant cancer. It is the second most significant cause of death due to cancer. It affects elderly people; there has been a major rise in diagnoses among people under 50, most likely due to improved screening of colorectal cancer treatment in India.

Causes of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer develops when genetic changes or mutations occur in the DNA of colon and rectal cells. The precise causes of these mutations are not always evident. Inherited genetic mutations, for example, can raise the risk of colorectal cancer. Apart from genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors play a major impact. According to research from 2022, around 70% of cases have no clear cause, 10% are associated with genetic conditions, and 20% occur within families.

Risk Factors associated with Colorectal Cancer

Age: Colorectal cancer is more common in elderly people, and the risk increases as one gets older.
Family History: Having a parent, sibling, or child with a history of colon or rectal cancer can increase the cancer risk.
Personal History: A history of colorectal cancer, polyps, or certain genetic disorders such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome increases the risk of cancer.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Conditions that cause inflammation in the colon lining, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, can increase the risk, especially if the inflammation lasts for a long time.
Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity are all risk factors for colorectal cancer that can be avoided.
Diet: Diets high in red and processed meats and low in fiber may contribute to the risk of cancer.
Racial and Ethnic Background: Black people have a higher chance of having colorectal cancer than other racial groupings.
Polyps: Having multiple or an advanced colon polyp increases your risk of acquiring colorectal cancer.
Lack of Physical Activity: An inactive lifestyle is related to an increased risk of colon cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer may develop without any noticeable symptoms, especially in the early stages. However, when symptoms do occur, they may differ and include:

Changes in Bowel Habits: Chronic diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel is not entirely empty.
Blood in Stool: Blood might appear along with sticky stools.
Abdominal Discomfort: Constant cramping, gas, pain, or a feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen.
Narrower Stools: Stools with a narrower width than usual.
Unexplained Weight Loss: Significant weight loss when not intentionally trying to lose weight.
Fatigue: Fatigue can be described as an apparent and unexplainable lack of energy.
Rectal Bleeding: There might be blood in the stool or bleeding from the rectum.
Vomiting: It happens suddenly or repeatedly within a short amount of time.

Screening for Colorectal Cancer Treatment in India

Colorectal cancer screening is important for early detection because the disease can develop without symptoms in its early stages.

The majority of doctors agrees that screening should begin at the age of 45 and continue until the age of 75. Individuals 75 and older, as well as those at high risk, should see a doctor to determine the best screening intervals and kinds of tests. Individuals at high risk may have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, be Black Americans aged 45 and older, or have illnesses such as Crohn’s disease, Lynch syndrome, or adenomatous polyposis.

Common Screening tests are:

Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is the most common and effective screening procedure. It involves a comprehensive inspection of the entire colon, and any precancerous tumors or polyps can be removed.
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): The Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) detects hidden blood in the stool that is not visible to the naked eye.
Guaiac-Based Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT): Guaiac-Based Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT): This test, like FIT, looks for hidden blood in the stool.
Fecal DNA Test: It examines the stool for genetic mutations and blood products.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: The lower colon and rectum are examined with a flexible scope.
Virtual Colonoscopy: Virtual colonoscopy is a non-invasive X-ray treatment used to detect polyps, tumors, and ulcers in the colon and rectum.

Diagnosis for Colorectal Cancer Treatment in India

Several tests and procedures are performed to confirm the presence of colorectal cancer and determine its extent. Some of the common tests performed for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer treatment in India are:

Colonoscopy: A gold-standard diagnostic method, colonoscopy examines the whole colon and rectum using a long, flexible tube with a camera. It can not only detect cancer but also remove polyps and collect tissue samples (biopsy) for further testing. This is generally the preferred method of detecting colorectal cancer.
Blood Stool Tests: These tests, which include stool immunochemistry and stool DNA testing, detect blood in stool samples. While a positive result doesn’t definitively indicate cancer, it can be a sign for further investigation.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: A flexible tube is used to examine the rectum and the last section of the colon. It can provide information about possible abnormalities.
Barium Enema X-Ray: A contrast dye, barium, is injected into the intestine through an enema. The colon is then X-rayed to show any odd abnormalities. Based on these findings, other diagnostic procedures, such as a colonoscopy, may be suggested.
CT Colonography: This imaging procedure, which is less invasive than a colonoscopy, gives detailed images of the colon. If it detects any abnormalities, a follow-up colonoscopy is usually done.
Imaging Scans: Ultrasound, CT, MRI, and PET scans can all be performed to determine if cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Different Stages of Colon Cancer

Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ): Only abnormal or precancerous cells are found in the mucosa, the innermost layer of the colon wall, at this stage.
Stage I: Cancer has spread from the mucosa to the submucosa or muscle layer of the colon wall.
Stage II: Stage II colon cancer is divided into three sub-stages:
- Stage IIA: Cancer has spread through the muscular layer of the colon wall to the serosa, the colon wall’s outermost layer.
- Stage IIB: The cancer has spread to the serosa but has not affected the nearby organs.
- Stage IIC: Cancer has spread to the serosa and is affecting nearby organs.
Stage III: Stage III colon cancer signifies the spread of cancer to nearby lymph nodes and is also divided into three sub-stages:
- Stage IIIA: Cancer has spread to one to four lymph nodes around the colon, as well as colon wall layers.
- Stage IIIB: Cancer affects more parts of the colon wall but is limited to one to three lymph nodes in this stage. It also includes cases in which cancer has penetrated fewer layers of the colon wall but spread to four or more lymph nodes.
- Stage IIIC: Cancer has spread to the outer layer of the colon wall or an adjacent layer, as well as four or more lymph nodes. It also includes cases where cancer has spread to nearby organs.
Stage IV: Stage IV colon cancer refers that cancer has metastasized to other areas of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or ovaries. This stage is further divided into stages IVA, IVB, and IVC based on the extent of spread.
Stage IVA: Cancer has spread to one or more organs or lymph nodes far from the colon.
Stage IVB: The cancer has spread to many other organs and lymph nodes.
Stage IVC: Cancer has spread to distant organs, lymph nodes, and abdominal tissue at this stage.

Treatment options for Colorectal Cancer Treatment in India

Colorectal cancer treatment options are decided by multiple factors, including the cancer’s stage, location, and the patient’s overall condition. The common treatment options for colorectal cancer treatment in India are:

Surgery: The primary treatment for colorectal cancer is surgery. The aim is to eliminate malignant tissue, which could involve eliminating a portion or all of the colon or rectum. To check for cancer spread, the surgeon may also remove surrounding lymph nodes.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the use of medications to either kill or prevent the growth of cancer cells. It can be given before surgery to shrink large tumors, or after surgery to kill any leftover cancer cells, or in the advanced stages of the disease to relieve symptoms.
Radiation Therapy: High-energy beams are used to target and destroy cancer cells in radiation therapy. It can be used in combination with chemotherapy to treat rectal cancer before surgery or to ease symptoms when surgery is not an option.
Targeted Therapy: It uses drugs that selectively target cancer cells or the processes that enable the cancer cells growth are used in targeted therapy. When compared to standard chemotherapy, this method has fewer negative effects.
Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is the use of medications to enhance the immune system, enabling it to detect and fight cancer cells. It is utilized to treat advanced colorectal cancer.
Radiofrequency Ablation and Cryosurgery: These procedures use strong heat or cold to kill cancer cells. They are most commonly used for minor tumors or when surgery is not an option.

Success Rate of Colorectal Cancer Treatment in India

Colorectal cancer treatment success rates in India have increased considerably in recent years. In India, the overall 5-year relative survival rate for colorectal cancer patients has shown an optimistic increase and is now at 63%. When cancer is detected at an early, localized stage, the survival rate increases to as high as 91%. Medical technology advancements, improved access to healthcare, and increased knowledge of colorectal cancer have all contributed to these positive outcomes.

Cost of Colorectal Cancer Treatment in India

The cost of colorectal cancer treatment in India can vary based on several factors, including the stage of cancer, the type of treatment required, the hospital that is selected, and the patient’s In India, the total cost of colorectal cancer treatment can range from $2000 to $8000.

Best Hospitals for Colorectal Cancer Treatment in India

India has several hospitals that are well-known for providing superior colorectal cancer treatment. The best hospitals for colorectal cancer treatment in India have been equipped with advanced technology and qualified doctors who specialize in colorectal cancer detection and treatment. Patients from all over the world seek treatment at these top hospitals, which are dedicated to providing comprehensive, cutting-edge care to ensure the best possible outcomes for people suffering from colorectal cancer.

Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi
Medanta – The Medicity, Gurgaon
Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
BLK Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi
Gleneagles Global Hospital, Perumbakkam, Chennai
Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai
Sanar International Hospital, Gurgaon

Top Doctors for Colorectal Cancer Treatment in India

When it comes to looking for top-notch medical treatment for colorectal cancer in India, patients have access to a wide range of highly qualified and skilled oncologists and surgeons. These top Colorectal Cancer Treatment Doctors in India are well-known for their skill in diagnosing and treating colorectal cancer. They are at the forefront of medical developments and use cutting-edge procedures to deliver complete care.