Colorectal Cancer Screening and Surveillance

This assignment delves into the crucial topic of colorectal cancer screening and surveillance. It begins by differentiating between benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) polyps, highlighting the importance of early detection through regular physical exams, CEA tests, colonoscopy/rectosigmoidoscopy, and CT scans. The document emphasizes the necessity of follow-up care for managing treatment side effects, monitoring for recurrence, and maintaining overall health. Additionally, it cites relevant references to support the provided information.

Running head: COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING REPORT 1
Colorectal Cancer Screening Report
Name
Institution

COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING REPORT 2
Introduction
The report is about colorectal cancer screening. It details indications for screening,
screening measures, risk factors, diagnostic and therapeutic measures after a positive colorectal
cancer screening. The course of colorectal cancer pathology, poly-cancer, positive types of
colonic polyps, and applicable follow-up measures are also captured in this report.
Indication for Screening
A polyp which is longer than one centimeter in diameter during sigmoidoscopy remains a
clear indication of full colon examination because between 30 and 50 percent patients have
additional polyps. Polyps lesions detected on barium enema might denote pseudo polyps,
carcinomas or true polyps. The symptoms for screening may include an alterations in one’s
bowel habits, such as diarrhea/constipation or even an alteration in stool’s consistency, which
lasts longer than 4 weeks. Another indication can be rectal bleeding or presence of blood in the
stool. Also, persistent abnormal discomfort like gas, pain or crams are clear indications. A
feeling that one’s bowel does not empty fully is another indications besides fatigue/weaknesses
as well as unexplained weight loss (Hamilton & Aaltonen, 2000).
Screening Measures
The screening must include a range of tests and offer alternatives and sharing decisions
with patients to improve rates of screening. This is based on offering choices in screening that
help increase screening uptake. Thus no preferred/ranked order for screening. However,
screening must maximize total number of individuals being screened. This will have the greatest
effect on reducing deaths due to colorectal cancer (Lynch, 2005).
Risk Factors

COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING REPORT 3
The main risk factor is the family history of disease and older age. However, various
other factors have been attributed to increased risks. These include excessive alcohol use,
obesity, smoking cigarette, being inactive physically and diet (Levin et al., 2008). Further,
individuals with history of inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis/Crohn disease
show higher risk of colorectal cancer. Also, individuals with some inherited conditions like
Lynch Syndrome as well as familial adenomatous polyposis have also show increased risk of
colorectal cancer (Rivadeneira & Killelea, 2007).
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Measures after positive Screening
Where a clinical symptoms and signs indicate colon cancer or where screening through
radiography/sigmoidoscopy identifies a huge-bowel tumor, a complete colonoscopic exam needs
to be undertaken to acquire biopsy samples and to look for synchronous lesions. Colonoscopy
findings have implications for surgical treatment plan. Histologic diagnosis needs to anchor
examination of fully excised polyp (Markowitz, 2007). All polypoid lesions bigger than 0.5 cm
must be excised fully. Repeat colonoscopy is performed in three to four months once sessile
polyp larger than 2 cm is removed and a concern of incomplete removal of adenoma. Resection
is required in case residual tissue stays and colonoscopy repeated in another three to four months
(Guarino, Rubino & Ballabio, 2007).
Course of Cancer Pathology
Colorectal cancer starts like a polyp, a tissue growth which lines inside surface of
rectum/colon. It could be a flat/raised one. The latter could grow internal side of rectum.
Positive Types of Colonic Polyps
There are three types: hyperplastic, adenomatous and malignant polyps. Hyperplastic is
often small and situated in end-portion of colon. It has no potential of being malignant and is

COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING REPORT 4
never worrisome. Adenomatous is the most common and don’t develop into cancer but has
potential of being cancerous. Malignant contain cancerous cells.
Applicable Follow-up Measures
The main objective of such a measure is early cancer detection which has reverted after
being treated. It entails regular physical exams, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) tests,
colonoscopy/recto sigmoidoscopy and computed tomography (CT) (Levin et al., 2008). The
follow-up care is imperative as it assists in maintenance of good health (Bretthauer, 2011). This
involves side effects’ management from treatment as well as lasting side-effects’ watching. Most
importantly, such measures help watch for signs of a cancer recurrence.

COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING REPORT 5
References
Bretthauer, M. (2011). Colorectal cancer screening. Journal of internal medicine, 270(2), 87-98.
Guarino, M., Rubino, B., & Ballabio, G. (2007). The role of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in
cancer pathology. Pathology, 39(3), 305-318.
Hamilton, S. R., & Aaltonen, L. A. (2000). WHO classification of tumours. Pathology and
genetics of tumours of the digestive system. Geneva: World health organization.
Levin, B., Lieberman, D. A., McFarland, B., Smith, R. A., Brooks, D., Andrews, K. S., ... &
Pickhardt, P. (2008). Screening and surveillance for the early detection of colorectal
cancer and adenomatous polyps, 2008: a joint guideline from the American Cancer
Society, the US Multi‐Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American
College of Radiology. CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 58(3), 130-160.
Lynch, P. M. (2005). Colorectal Cancer: Screening and Primary Prevention. Gastrointestinal
Cancer, 85-103.
Markowitz, A. J. (2007). Colorectal Cancer Screening and Surveillance. Colorectal Cancer, 51-
68.
Rivadeneira, D. E., & Killelea, A. G. (2007). 11 Surgical Treatments for Colon and Rectal
Cancer: A Critical Appraisal of Evidence-Based Data. Gastrointestinal Oncology:
Evidence and Analysis, 111.