What is colon and rectal cancer?

9 April 2021

This type of tumor usually appears after the age of 50 and predominates in old age, although it can also occur in young adults. This type of cancer is one of the main causes of death from neoplasms worldwide. In Mexico, colorectal cancer causes more than 1,600 deaths a year, affecting men and women equally.

Main causes:

A sedentary lifestyle.
A high-fat, low-fiber diet.
Habits such as alcoholism and smoking.
History of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, colon polyps, or Crohn’s disease.
Genetic factors, since up to 25% of patients have a relative who has suffered from the condition.

Signs and symptoms Colon and rectal cancer

There are patients who experience mild symptoms, such as fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal pain, along with diarrhea episodes followed by constipation, and the appearance of blood and/or mucus in the stool. As the disease progresses, breathing problems and joint discomfort may develop.

It is important to remember that several of these symptoms are not exclusive to colorectal cancer, so you should always consult your doctor.

Diagnosis and treatment Colon and rectal cancer

It begins with the patient’s medical history, a physical examination, and a blood test. Later you might need:

Gastrointestinal tract contrast x-ray.
A colonoscopy to look inside the colon and rectum.
Scans, CT scans, or biopsy to examine damaged tissues.

Processing:

As in all cancer cases, treatment will depend on age, general condition, and pre-existing diseases. Although other factors must also be considered, such as the type of tumor and its stage of development. All these aspects will indicate the type of treatment to choose, either chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or a combination thereof.

Related centers and departments Colon and rectal cancer

ABC Cancer Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

mayoclinic.org
cancer.org
cancer.net
Menéndez-Sánchez P, Villarejo-Campos P, Padilla-Valverde D, et al. Marcadores tumorales en el cáncer colorrectal. Cir Cir. 2013;81(2):169-175.
Piñeiro FAI, Álvarez GAE, González-Velázquez VE, et al. Enfermedades colorrectales en pacientes mayores de 45 años. Universidad Médica Pinareña. 2019;15(3):378-387.
American Cancer Society. Detailed Guide: Colon and Rectum Cancer [Internet]. 2014. [Consultado 2021 enero 9].
Cáncer del colon y del recto. Medline Plus [Internet]. 2018 oct 15[Consultado 2021 enero 9].
American Cancer Society. Estadísticas importantes sobre el cáncer colorrectal [Internet]. Atlanta: American Cancer Society 2017 [Consultado 2021 enero 8].
Cubiellaa J, Marzo-Castillejob M, Mascort-Rocac JJ, et al. Guía de práctica clínica: Diagnóstico y prevención del cáncer colorrectal. Gastroenterol Hepatol [Internet]. 2018 [Consultado 2021 enero 8];41(9):585-96.
Hano García O, Wood Rodríguez L, Galbán García E, et al. Factores de riesgo para el cáncer colorrectal. Rev Cubana de Medicina [Internet]. 2011 [Consulado 2021 enero 8];50(2):118-32.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is colon and rectal cancer?

Signs and symptoms Colon and rectal cancer

Diagnosis and treatment Colon and rectal cancer

Related centers and departments Colon and rectal cancer

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Colon and rectal cancer