Our intestine is made up of different departments, which are differently affected by cancer. Less often affects the small intestine cancer (about three percent of all cancers of the intestine). Colon cancer is much more common (about fifteen percent of all malignant tumors of the bowel) cancer arises more often in the long intestine - rectum.
The structure of the intestine
The intestine is a tube, which originates from the outlet of the stomach and ends at the anus. The main functions of the intestine - digesting food, nutrient absorption into the blood, removal of food debris formation of certain vitamins and hormones involved in the processes of immunity. The entire intestine is divided into two large sections: the small intestine and colon. The small intestine has a length of from a half to four meters or more, the diameter of its beginning about five centimeters, and the end is narrowed to three. The small intestine was divided into three sections - the duodenum, jejunum and ileum.
Large intestine has a length of up to six meters in diameter at the beginning of seven to fifteen centimeters in the end - not more than six centimeters. The entire colon is divided into six parts (guts): blind, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid and straight.
Cancer of the small intestine
Cancer of the small intestine - a rare malignant tumor. Most often this type of cancer arises from the inhabitants of Asia and Africa, while in countries with a population of having white skin, it occurs much less frequently. Men get sick more often than women, and the incidence increases with age.
Often the cancer develops at the site of benign formations in the process of degeneration (eg, bowel polyps). These polyps can be a hereditary condition that increases the risk of developing cancer of the small intestine of such people. Equally important are chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the use of substances that irritate the gut (eg distilled spirits), smoking, and various industrial hazards. Sometimes, cancer of the small intestine is secondary, arising from metastasis from another organ.
Start of cancer of the small intestine gradually and imperceptibly, so it is often detected too late. However, some patients in the early stages may appear such symptoms as nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal pain paroxysmal
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. After a while, patients notice a dramatic weight loss, weakness, malaise, slight rise in temperature.
With the destruction of the blood vessel walls of the intestine may be intestinal bleeding if a large tumor impedes the progress of the stool - intestinal obstruction. Cancer can become complicated peritonitis (inflammation of the serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity) if the tumor will destroy the intestinal wall and its contents fall into the abdominal cavity. Cancer can invade surrounding tissues and organs, or simply squeeze them, and then there are such signs as jaundice, fluid in the abdomen (ascites), the withering away of the intestines squeezed.
The diagnosis of cancer of the small intestine is placed on the basis of the survey. Endoscopy (using a special optical instrument), X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging. In some cases, a diagnostic laparoscopy
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(endoscopy, when the optical apparatus is introduced into the abdomen through small incisions) from taking a piece of tissue for laboratory testing.
Treatment of cancer of the small intestine is usually rapid, conduct removal of the tumor together with a part of the intestine. After surgery, chemotherapy is usually given.
Cancer of the colon
Colon cancer - it is a common disease, which usually occurs in the elderly. Often there is a cancer of the lower parts of the colon. Predisposing factors for the development of cancer is a genetic predisposition, inflammatory bowel disease
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, Benign tumors (such as polyps), eating disorders (little fiber, lots of meat and easily digestible food), some industrial hazard (eg asbestos dust).
Colon cancer for a long time may be asymptomatic. First, can appear so-called small cancer symptoms: weight loss, weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, anemia, fever. With the defeat of the right side of the colon, all these signs are increasing with time. With the defeat of the left half of the colon, local signs of the disease appear in the form of constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, blood in the stool.
In advanced stages of the cancer metastasizes to the nearest lymph nodes and distant organs: colon cancer - liver cancer, rectal cancer - lung.
To confirm the diagnosis of colon cancer is appointed by endoscopy (colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy), X-ray, ultrasound examination of the bowel, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, laboratory tests (including fecal occult blood).
Treatment of colon cancer
Colon cancer: creeps imperceptibly
basically operational. Depending on the location of the tumor resection the right or left half of the colon and the simultaneous removal of nearby lymph nodes. Before the surgery, usually radiation therapy, chemotherapy is considered not effective.
The main thing with bowel cancer - is its timely detection.
Galina Romanenko
