Colorectal Cancer
I learned that colorectal cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer and the third most commonly diagnosed all over the world. The world has made significant steps in the development of diagnosis and treatment methods for the disease. However, a lot still needs to be done to reduce mortality associated with the disease. The number of people dying from colorectal cancer every year has remained relatively constant for the past fifty years. The treatment outcomes for CRC significantly depend on the stage of diagnosis. Stage IV patients have meager chances of recovery, with only 8 percent having the ability to live for up to 5 years after diagnosis.
Bowel obstructions are very common among Colorectal Cancer patients, especially in the advanced stages. The obstructions worsen the conditions and significantly impact on the person’s survival. Colorectal patients who develop colorectal obstruction have a 20 percent lower chance of survival compared to the patients without. I also learned that the treatment measures for patients with bowel obstructions are significantly different from those without. For the former, surgery can be done to reduce the blockage. For those without the obstruction, several technologies can be used to treat patients who are minimally symptomatic with stage IV colorectal cancer. I also learned that chemotherapy is essential for the treatment of colorectal cancer in patients with or without obstructions. The approach significantly enhances the survival of such patients. It also maintains the quality of life. Resection can be done for patients with obstructions, but it may not be appropriate for those without obstructions, for it can cause significant complications. The complications associated with the method can be significantly reduced can be reduced through palliative resection of the primary tumor. Doing so also improves the chances of further treatment.