Template:Short description Template:About Template:Redirect Template:Cs1 config Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox medical condition (new)

Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer, is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine).<ref name="NCI2014PtTx">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Signs and symptoms may include blood in the stool, a change in bowel movements, weight loss, abdominal pain and fatigue.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Most colorectal cancers are due to lifestyle factors and genetic disorders.<ref name="WCR2014_5.5" /><ref name="NCI2014Pre">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Risk factors include diet, obesity, smoking, and lack of physical activity.<ref name="WCR2014_5.5">Template:Cite book</ref> Dietary factors that increase the risk include red meat, processed meat, and alcohol.<ref name="WCR2014_5.5" /><ref name="Theodoratou2017">Template:Cite journal</ref> Another risk factor is inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.<ref name="WCR2014_5.5" /> Some of the inherited genetic disorders that can cause colorectal cancer include familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer; however, these represent less than 5% of cases.<ref name="WCR2014_5.5" /><ref name="NCI2014Pre" /> It typically starts as a benign tumor, often in the form of a polyp, which over time becomes cancerous.<ref name="WCR2014_5.5" />

Colorectal cancer may be diagnosed by obtaining a sample of the colon during a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.<ref name="NCI2014Pt">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This is then followed by medical imaging to determine whether the disease has spread.<ref name="NCI2014PtTx" /> Screening is effective for preventing and decreasing deaths from colorectal cancer.<ref name="USPSTF2016" /> Screening, by one of several methods, is recommended starting from ages 45 to 75. It was recommended starting at age 50 but it was changed to 45 due to increasing numbers of colon cancers.<ref name="USPSTF2016">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> During colonoscopy, small polyps may be removed if found.<ref name="WCR2014_5.5" /> If a large polyp or tumor is found, a biopsy may be performed to check if it is cancerous. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs decrease the risk of pain during polyp excision.<ref name="WCR2014_5.5" /><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Their general use is not recommended for this purpose, however, due to side effects.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Treatments used for colorectal cancer may include some combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.<ref name=NCI2014PtTx/> Cancers that are confined within the wall of the colon may be curable with surgery, while cancer that has spread widely is usually not curable, with management being directed towards improving quality of life and symptoms.<ref name=NCI2014PtTx/> The five-year survival rate in the United States was around 65% in 2014.<ref name="SEER2014">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The individual likelihood of survival depends on how advanced the cancer is, whether or not all the cancer can be removed with surgery, and the person's overall health.<ref name=NCI2014Pt/> Globally, colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer, making up about 10% of all cases.<ref name="WCR2014Epi">Template:Cite book</ref> In 2018, there were 1.09 million new cases and 551,000 deaths from the disease.<ref name=Bray2018>Template:Cite journal</ref> It is more common in developed countries, where more than 65% of cases are found.<ref name="WCR2014_5.5" /> It is less common in women than men.<ref name="WCR2014_5.5" /> Template:TOC limit

Signs and symptomsEdit

The signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer depend on the location of the tumor in the bowel, and whether it has spread elsewhere in the body (metastasis). The classic warning signs include: worsening constipation, blood in the stool, decrease in stool caliber (thickness), loss of appetite, loss of weight, and nausea or vomiting in someone over 50 years old.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Around 50% of people who have colorectal cancer do not report any symptoms.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Rectal bleeding or anemia are high-risk symptoms in people over the age of 50.<ref name="Sym11">Template:Cite journal</ref> Weight loss and changes in a person's bowel habit are typically only concerning if they are associated with rectal bleeding.<ref name="Sym11" /><ref name="pmid21624112">Template:Cite journal</ref>

CauseEdit

75–95% of colorectal cancer cases occur in people with little or no genetic risk.<ref name="Cause11">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Lancet10">Template:Cite journal</ref> Risk factors include older age, male sex,<ref name=Lancet10/> high intake of fat, sugar, alcohol, red meat, processed meats, obesity, smoking, and a lack of physical exercise.<ref name=Cause11/><ref name="WCRF2011">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Rectal Cancer Survival Calculator developed by the MD Anderson Cancer Center additionally considers race to be a risk factor; however, there are equity issues concerning whether this might lead to inequity in clinical decision making.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Approximately 10% of cases are linked to insufficient activity.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The risk from alcohol appears to increase at greater than one drink per day.<ref name="Fedirko2011">Template:Cite journal</ref> Drinking five glasses of water a day is linked to a decrease in the risk of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The consumption of dairy products, such as milk, is protective against colorectal cancer.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Streptococcus gallolyticus is associated with colorectal cancer.<ref name="BoleijvanGelder2011">Template:Cite journal</ref> Some strains of Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex are consumed by millions of people daily and thus may be safe.<ref name="JansMeile2015">Template:Cite journal</ref> 25 to 80% of people with Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus bacteremia have concomitant colorectal tumors.<ref name="AbdulamirHafidh2011">Template:Cite journalTemplate:CC-notice</ref> Seroprevalence of Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus is considered as a candidate practical marker for the early prediction of an underlying bowel lesion at high-risk population.<ref name=AbdulamirHafidh2011/> It has been suggested that the presence of antibodies to Streptococcus bovis/gallolyticus antigens or the antigens themselves in the bloodstream may act as markers for the carcinogenesis in the colon.<ref name=AbdulamirHafidh2011/>

Pathogenic Escherichia coli may increase the risk of colorectal cancer by producing the genotoxic metabolite, colibactin.<ref name="pmid32317778">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Inflammatory bowel diseaseEdit

People with inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) are at increased risk of colon cancer.<ref name="IBD11">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="pmid26004415">Template:Cite journal</ref> The risk increases the longer a person has the disease, and the worse the severity of inflammation.<ref name="IBD09">Template:Cite journal</ref> In these high risk groups, both prevention with aspirin and regular colonoscopies are recommended.<ref name="Bye-2017">Template:Cite journal</ref> Endoscopic surveillance in this high-risk population may reduce the development of colorectal cancer through early diagnosis and may also reduce the chances of dying from colon cancer.<ref name="Bye-2017" /> People with inflammatory bowel disease account for less than 2% of colon cancer cases yearly.<ref name=IBD09/> In those with Crohn's disease (with colonic involvement), 2% get colorectal cancer after 10 years, 8% after 20 years, and 18% after 30 years.<ref name=IBD09/> In people who have ulcerative colitis, approximately 16% develop either a cancer precursor or cancer of the colon over 30 years.<ref name=IBD09/>

GeneticsEdit

Those with a family history in two or more first-degree relatives (such as a parent or sibling) have a two to threefold greater risk of disease, and this group accounts for about 20% of all cases. Several genetic syndromes are also associated with higher rates of colorectal cancer. The most common of these is hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC, or Lynch syndrome) which is present in about 3% of people with colorectal cancer.<ref name=Lancet10/> Other syndromes that are strongly associated with colorectal cancer include Gardner syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).<ref name="pmid20141232">Template:Cite journal</ref> For people with these syndromes, cancer almost always occurs and makes up 1% of the cancer cases.<ref name="pmid19822006">Template:Cite journal</ref> A total proctocolectomy may be recommended for people with FAP as a preventive measure due to the high risk of malignancy. Colectomy, the removal of the colon, may not suffice as a preventive measure because of the high risk of rectal cancer if the rectum remains.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The most common polyposis syndrome affecting the colon is serrated polyposis syndrome,<ref name=Mankaney>Template:Cite journal</ref> which is associated with a 25–40% risk of CRC.<ref name=Fan>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Mutations in the pair of genes (POLE and POLD1) have been associated with familial colon cancer.<ref name=Bourdais2017>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Most deaths due to colon cancer are associated with metastatic disease. A gene that appears to contribute to the potential for metastatic disease, metastasis associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1), has been isolated.<ref name="Stein2009">Template:Cite journal</ref> It is a transcriptional factor that influences the expression of hepatocyte growth factor. This gene is associated with the proliferation, invasion, and scattering of colon cancer cells in cell culture, and tumor growth and metastasis in mice. MACC1 may be a potential target for cancer intervention, but this possibility needs to be confirmed with clinical studies.<ref name=Stein2013>Stein U (2013) MACC1 – a novel target for solid cancers. Expert Opin Ther Targets</ref>

Epigenetic factors, such as abnormal DNA methylation of tumor suppressor promoters, play a role in the development of colorectal cancer.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Ashkenazi Jews have a 6% higher risk rate of getting adenomas and then colon cancer due to mutations in the APC gene being more common.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

DietEdit

Associated with a diet high in fats, elevated levels of bile acids appear to increase the risk of colorectal cancer.<ref name = Fogelson2023>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name = Bernstein2023>Template:Cite journal</ref> The bile acid deoxycholic acid particularly is elevated in the colonic contents of humans in response to a high fat diet.<ref name = Fogelson2023/><ref name = Bernstein2023/> In populations that have a high incidence of colorectal cancer fecal concentrations of bile acids, particularly deoxycholic acid, are higher.<ref name = Fogelson2023/><ref name = Bernstein2023/>

A 2025 meta-analysis on the relationship of fecal bile acid concentrations to the development and progression of colorectal cancer found that higher fecal concentrations of the bile acids cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid are associated with a high risk and higher incidence of colorectal cancer.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

PathogenesisEdit

Colorectal cancer is a disease originating from the epithelial cells lining the colon or rectum of the gastrointestinal tract, most frequently as a result of genetic mutations in the Wnt signaling pathway that increases signaling activity.<ref name="Tabibzadeh-2020">Template:Cite journal</ref> The Wnt signaling pathway normally plays an important role for normal function of these cells including maintaining this lining. Mutations can be inherited or acquired, and most probably occur in the intestinal crypt stem cell.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The most commonly mutated gene in all colorectal cancer is the APC gene, which produces the APC protein.<ref name="Tabibzadeh-2020" /> The APC protein prevents the accumulation of β-catenin protein. Without APC, β-catenin accumulates to high levels and translocates (moves) into the nucleus, binds to DNA, and activates the transcription of proto-oncogenes. These genes are normally important for stem cell renewal and differentiation, but when inappropriately expressed at high levels, they can cause cancer.<ref name="Tabibzadeh-2020" /> While APC is mutated in most colon cancers, some cancers have increased β-catenin because of mutations in β-catenin (CTNNB1) that block its breakdown, or have mutations in other genes with function similar to APC such as AXIN1, AXIN2, TCF7L2, or NKD1.<ref name="markowitz">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Beyond the defects in the Wnt signaling pathway, other mutations must occur for the cell to become cancerous. The p53 protein, produced by the TP53 gene, normally monitors cell division and induces their programmed death if they have Wnt pathway defects. Eventually, a cell line acquires a mutation in the TP53 gene and transforms the tissue from a benign epithelial tumor into an invasive epithelial cell cancer. Sometimes the gene encoding p53 is not mutated, but another protective protein named BAX is mutated instead.<ref name="markowitz"/>

Other proteins responsible for programmed cell death that are commonly deactivated in colorectal cancers are TGF-β and DCC (Deleted in Colorectal Cancer). TGF-β has a deactivating mutation in at least half of colorectal cancers. Sometimes TGF-β is not deactivated, but a downstream protein named SMAD is deactivated.<ref name="markowitz"/> DCC commonly has a deleted segment of a chromosome in colorectal cancer.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Approximately 70% of all human genes are expressed in colorectal cancer, with just over 1% having increased expression in colorectal cancer compared to other forms of cancer.<ref name="Uh2017"/> Some genes are oncogenes: they are overexpressed in colorectal cancer. For example, genes encoding the proteins KRAS, RAF, and PI3K, which normally stimulate the cell to divide in response to growth factors, can acquire mutations that result in over-activation of cell proliferation. The chronological order of mutations is sometimes important. If a previous APC mutation occurred, a primary KRAS mutation often progresses to cancer rather than a self-limiting hyperplastic or borderline lesion.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> PTEN, a tumor suppressor, normally inhibits PI3K, but can sometimes become mutated and deactivated.<ref name="markowitz"/>

Comprehensive, genome-scale analysis has revealed that colorectal carcinomas can be categorized into hypermutated and non-hypermutated tumor types.<ref name="Muzny-2012">Template:Cite journal</ref> In addition to the oncogenic and inactivating mutations described for the genes above, non-hypermutated samples also contain mutated CTNNB1, FAM123B, SOX9, ATM, and ARID1A. Progressing through a distinct set of genetic events, hypermutated tumors display mutated forms of ACVR2A, TGFBR2, MSH3, MSH6, SLC9A9, TCF7L2, and BRAF. The common theme among these genes, across both tumor types, is their involvement in Wnt and TGF-β signaling pathways, which results in increased activity of MYC, a central player in colorectal cancer.<ref name="Muzny-2012"/>

Mismatch repair (MMR) deficient tumours are characterized by a relatively high number of poly-nucleotide tandem repeats.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> This is caused by a deficiency in MMR proteins – which are typically caused by epigenetic silencing and or inherited mutations (e.g., Lynch syndrome).<ref name="Ryan-2017">Template:Cite journal</ref> 15 to 18 percent of colorectal cancer tumours have MMR deficiencies, with 3 percent developing due to Lynch syndrome.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The role of the mismatch repair system is to protect the integrity of the genetic material within cells (i.e., error detecting and correcting).<ref name="Ryan-2017" /> Consequently, a deficiency in MMR proteins may lead to an inability to detect and repair genetic damage, allowing for further cancer-causing mutations to occur and colorectal cancer to progress.<ref name="Ryan-2017" />

The polyp to cancer progression sequence is the classical model of colorectal cancer pathogenesis.<ref name="Grady-2015">Template:Cite journal</ref> In this adenoma-carcinoma sequence,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> normal epithelial cells progress to dysplastic cells such as adenomas, and then to carcinoma, by a process of progressive genetic mutation.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Central to the polyp to CRC sequence are gene mutations, epigenetic alterations, and local inflammatory changes.<ref name="Grady-2015" /> The polyp to CRC sequence can be used as an underlying framework to illustrate how specific molecular changes lead to various cancer subtypes.<ref name="Grady-2015" />

Field defectsEdit

File:Image of resected colon segment with cancer & 4 nearby polyps plus schematic of field defects with sub-clones.jpg
Longitudinally opened freshly resected colon segment showing a cancer and four polyps. Plus a schematic diagram indicating a likely field defect (a region of tissue that precedes and predisposes to the development of cancer) in this colon segment. The diagram indicates sub-clones and sub-sub-clones that were precursors to the tumors.

The term "field cancerization" was first used in 1953 to describe an area or "field" of epithelium that has been preconditioned (by what were largely unknown processes at the time) to predispose it towards the development of cancer.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Since then, the terms "field cancerization", "field carcinogenesis", "field defect", and "field effect" have been used to describe pre-malignant or pre-neoplastic tissue in which new cancers are likely to arise.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Field defects are important in the progression of colon cancer.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal 28 minute video</ref>

However, as pointed out by Rubin, "The vast majority of studies in cancer research has been done on well-defined tumors in vivo, or on discrete neoplastic foci in vitro. Yet there is evidence that more than 80% of the somatic mutations found in mutator phenotype human colorectal tumors occur before the onset of terminal clonal expansion."<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Similarly, Vogelstein et al.<ref name=Vogelstein /> pointed out that more than half of somatic mutations identified in tumors occurred in a pre-neoplastic phase (in a field defect), during growth of apparently normal cells. Likewise, epigenetic alterations present in tumors may have occurred in pre-neoplastic field defects.<ref name="Bernstein-2013">Template:Cite journal</ref>

An expanded view of field effect has been termed "etiologic field effect", which encompasses not only molecular and pathologic changes in pre-neoplastic cells but also influences of exogenous environmental factors and molecular changes in the local microenvironment on neoplastic evolution from tumor initiation to death.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

EpigeneticsEdit

As described by Vogelstein et al.,<ref name="Vogelstein">Template:Cite journal</ref> an average cancer of the colon has only 1 or 2 oncogene mutations and 1 to 5 tumor suppressor mutations (together designated "driver mutations"), with about 60 further "passenger" mutations. The oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are well studied and are described above under Pathogenesis.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Kimball's Biology Pages. Template:Webarchive "Oncogenes" Free full text</ref>

Epigenetic alterations are much more frequent in colon cancer than genetic (mutational) alterations. Epigenetic alterations, distinct from mutations, change the protein expression of genes without changing the DNA sequence. One frequent type of epigenetic alteration in colorectal cancers is changed expression levels of particular microRNAs. microRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNAs that bind the 3′ untranslated regions of their target messenger RNAs and cause suppression of protein translation.<ref name="pmid34722255">Template:Cite journal</ref> Down-regulation or up-regulation of microRNAs are epigenetic alterations since their altered regulation of messenger RNAs does not directly involve changing the DNA sequence. microRNAs are important epigenetic factors in colorectal cancer, with 164 microRNAs significantly altered in colorectal cancers.<ref name="pmid22647361">Template:Cite journal</ref> miRNAs have an average of 300 target genes per miRNA.<ref name="pmid19167326">Template:Cite journal</ref> About 60% of human protein-coding genes appear to be under the epigenetic control of miRNAs.<ref name="pmid18955434">Template:Cite journal</ref> As an example, miRNA-143 is downregulated in 88% of colorectal colon cancers<ref name=Ng>Template:Cite journal</ref> and down-regulation of miRNA-143 causes up-regulation of protein expression of its target oncogene KRAS as well as its target DNA methylating protein DNMT3A<ref name="pmid19137007">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=Ng />

In addition to epigenetic alteration of expression of miRNAs, other common types of epigenetic alterations in cancers that change gene expression levels include direct hypermethylation or hypomethylation of CpG islands of protein-encoding genes and alterations in histones and chromosomal architecture that influence gene expression.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> As an example, 147 hypermethylations and 27 hypomethylations of protein-coding genes were frequently associated with colorectal cancers. Of the hypermethylated genes, 10 were hypermethylated in 100% of colon cancers, and many others were hypermethylated in more than 50% of colon cancers.<ref name="Sch">Template:Cite journal</ref> In addition, 11 hypermethylations and 96 hypomethylations of miRNAs were also associated with colorectal cancers.<ref name=Sch /> Abnormal (aberrant) methylation occurs as a normal consequence of normal aging and the risk of colorectal cancer increases as a person gets older.<ref name="Epigenetics">Template:Cite journal</ref> The source and trigger of this age-related methylation is unknown.<ref name="Epigenetics" /><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Approximately half of the genes that show age-related methylation changes are the same genes that have been identified to be involved in the development of colorectal cancer.<ref name="Epigenetics" /> These findings may suggest a reason for age being associated with the increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.<ref name="Epigenetics" />

Epigenetic reductions of DNA repair enzyme expression may likely lead to the genomic and epigenomic instability characteristic of cancer.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Bernstein-2013"/> As summarized in the articles Carcinogenesis and Neoplasm, for sporadic cancers in general, a deficiency in DNA repair is occasionally due to a mutation in a DNA repair gene, but is much more frequently due to epigenetic alterations that reduce or silence expression of DNA repair genes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Epigenetic alterations involved in the development of colorectal cancer may affect a person's response to chemotherapy.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Genomics and epigenomicsEdit

Consensus molecular subtypes (CMS) classification of colorectal cancer was first introduced in 2015. CMS classification so far has been considered the most robust classification system available for CRC that has a clear biological interpretability and the basis for future clinical stratification and subtype-based targeted interventions.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

A novel Epigenome-based Classification (EpiC) of colorectal cancer was proposed in 2021 introducing 4 enhancer subtypes in people with CRC. Chromatin states using 6 histone marks are characterized to identify EpiC subtypes. A combinatorial therapeutic approach based on the previously introduced consensus molecular subtypes (CMSs) and EpiCs could significantly enhance current treatment strategies.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

DiagnosisEdit

File:ColonCaWithMetsMark.png
Colon cancer with extensive metastases to the liver

Colorectal cancer diagnosis is performed by sampling areas of the colon suspicious for possible tumor development, typically during colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, depending on the location of the lesion.<ref name=Lancet10/>

Medical imagingEdit

A colorectal cancer is sometimes initially discovered on CT scan.<ref name="Colorectal Cancer">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The presence of metastases is determined by a CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.<ref name="Lancet10"/> Other potential imaging tests such as PET and MRI may be used in certain cases.<ref name="Lancet10" /> MRI is particularly useful to determine the local stage of the tumor and to plan the optimal surgical approach.<ref name="Colorectal Cancer"/>

MRI is also performed after completion of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy to identify patients who achieve a complete response. Patients with a complete response on both MRI and endoscopy may not require surgical resection and can avoid unnecessary surgical morbidity and complications.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Patients selected for non-surgical treatment of rectal cancer should have periodic MRI scans, receive physical examinations, and undergo endoscopy procedures to detect any tumor re-growth which can occur in a minority of these patients. When local recurrence occurs, periodic follow-up can detect it when it is still small and curable with salvage surgery. In addition, MRI tumor regression grades (mrTRG vs. pTRG = pathological tumor regression grade) can be assigned after chemoradiotherapy which correlate with patients' long-term survival outcomes.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

HistopathologyEdit

File:Relative incidence of colorectal cancers.svg
Relative incidence of various histopathological types of colorectal cancer. The vast majority of colorectal cancers are adenocarcinomas.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
File:Micrograph of colorectal carcinoma with dirty necrosis.jpg
Micrograph of colorectal adenocarcinoma, showing "dirty necrosis".

Template:Further The histopathologic characteristics of the tumor are reported from the analysis of tissue taken from a biopsy or surgery. A pathology report contains a description of the microscopical characteristics of the tumor tissue, including both tumor cells and how the tumor invades into healthy tissues and finally if the tumor appears to be completely removed. The most common form of colon cancer is adenocarcinoma, constituting between 95%<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and 98%<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> of all cases of colorectal cancer. Other, rarer types include lymphoma, adenosquamous, and squamous cell carcinoma. Some subtypes are more aggressive.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Immunohistochemistry may be used in uncertain cases.<ref>Template:Cite journal </ref>

StagingEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Staging of the cancer is based on both radiological and pathological findings. As with most other forms of cancer, tumor staging is based on the TNM system which considers how much the initial tumor has spread and the presence of metastases in lymph nodes and more distant organs.<ref name="Lancet10" /> The AJCC 8th edition was published in 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

PreventionEdit

It has been estimated that about half of colorectal cancer cases are due to lifestyle factors, and about a quarter of all cases are preventable.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Increasing surveillance, engaging in physical activity, consuming a diet high in fiber, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption decrease the risk.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

LifestyleEdit

Lifestyle risk factors with strong evidence include lack of exercise, cigarette smoking, alcohol, and obesity.<ref name="NCI2018Overview">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="WHOcancerprevention">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The risk of colon cancer can be reduced by maintaining a normal body weight through a combination of sufficient exercise and eating a healthy diet.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Current research consistently links eating more red meat and processed meat to a higher risk of the disease.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Starting in the 1970s, dietary recommendations to prevent colorectal cancer often included increasing the consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and reducing the intake of red meat and processed meats. This was based on animal studies and retrospective observational studies. However, large-scale prospective studies have failed to demonstrate a significant protective effect, and due to the multiple causes of cancer and the complexity of studying correlations between diet and health, it is uncertain whether any specific dietary interventions will have significant protective effects.<ref name="WCR2014Willett">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp<ref name=WCR2014_2.6/>Template:Rp In 2018 the National Cancer Institute stated that "There is no reliable evidence that a diet started in adulthood that is low in fat and meat and high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables reduces the risk of CRC by a clinically important degree."<ref name=NCI2018Overview/><ref name="NCI2018Evidence">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Consuming alcoholic drinks and consuming processed meat both increase the risk of colorectal cancer.<ref name="w151">Template:Cite journal</ref>

The 2014 World Health Organization cancer report noted that it has been hypothesized that dietary fiber might help prevent colorectal cancer, but that most studies at the time had not yet studied the correlation.<ref name="WCR2014_2.6">Template:Cite book</ref> A 2019 review, however, found evidence of benefit from dietary fiber and whole grains.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The World Cancer Research Fund listed the benefit of fiber for prevention of colorectal cancer as "probable" as of 2017.<ref name="Song2018">Template:Cite journal</ref> A 2022 umbrella review says there is "convincing evidence" for that association.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Higher physical activity is recommended.<ref name=WCRF2011/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Physical exercise is associated with a modest reduction in colon but not rectal cancer risk.<ref name="pmid19207713">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> High levels of physical activity reduce the risk of colon cancer by about 21%.<ref name="BMJ2016">Template:Cite journal</ref> Sitting regularly for prolonged periods is associated with higher mortality from colon cancer. Regular exercise does not negate the risk but does lower it.<ref name="Biswas">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Medication and supplementsEdit

Aspirin and celecoxib appear to decrease the risk of colorectal cancer in those at high risk.<ref name="pmid20594533">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Aspirin is recommended in those who are 50 to 60 years old, do not have an increased risk of bleeding, and are at risk for cardiovascular disease to prevent colorectal cancer.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> It is not recommended in those at average risk.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

There is tentative evidence for calcium supplementation, but it is insufficient to make a recommendation.<ref name="pmid18254022">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Adequate Vitamin D intake and blood levels are associated with a lower risk of colon cancer.<ref name="pmid21876081">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="pmid21672549">Template:Cite journal</ref>

ScreeningEdit

As more than 80% of colorectal cancers arise from adenomatous polyps, screening for this cancer is effective for both early detection and prevention.<ref name=Lancet10/><ref name="cdcprevent">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Diagnosis of cases of colorectal cancer through screening tends to occur 2–3 years before diagnosis of cases with symptoms.<ref name=Lancet10/> Any polyps that are detected can be removed, usually by colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, and thus prevent them from turning into cancer. Screening has the potential to reduce colorectal cancer deaths by 60%.<ref name=Screen11/>

The three main screening tests are colonoscopy, fecal occult blood testing, and flexible sigmoidoscopy. Of the three, only sigmoidoscopy cannot screen the right side of the colon where 42% of cancers are found.<ref name="Siegel2012Intro">Template:Cite journal</ref> Flexible sigmoidoscopy, however, has the best evidence for decreasing the risk of death from any cause.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) of the stool is typically recommended every two years and can be either guaiac-based or immunochemical.<ref name=Lancet10/> If abnormal FOBT results are found, participants are typically referred for a follow-up colonoscopy examination. When done once every 1–2 years, FOBT screening reduces colorectal cancer deaths by 16% and among those participating in screening, colorectal cancer deaths can be reduced up to 23%, although it has not been proven to reduce all-cause mortality.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Immunochemical tests are accurate and do not require dietary or medication changes before testing.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> However, research in the UK has found that for these immunochemical tests, the threshold for further investigation is set at a point that may miss more than half of bowel cancer cases. The research suggests that the NHS England's Bowel Cancer Screening Programme could make better use of the test's ability to provide the exact concentration of blood in faeces (rather than only whether it is above or below a cutoff level).<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Li-2021">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Other options include virtual colonoscopy and stool DNA screening testing (FIT-DNA). Virtual colonoscopy via a CT scan appears as good as standard colonoscopy for detecting cancers and large adenomas but is expensive, associated with radiation exposure, and cannot remove any detected abnormal growths as standard colonoscopy can.<ref name=Lancet10/> Stool DNA screening test looks for biomarkers associated with colorectal cancer and precancerous lesions, including altered DNA and blood hemoglobin. A positive result should be followed by colonoscopy. FIT-DNA has more false positives than FIT and thus results in more adverse effects.<ref name=USPSTF2016/> Further study is required as of 2016 to determine whether a three-year screening interval is correct.<ref name="USPSTF2016"/>

RecommendationsEdit

In the United States, screening is typically recommended between ages 50 and 75 years.<ref name=USPSTF2016/><ref name=Qa2019>Template:Cite journal</ref> The American Cancer Society recommends starting at the age of 45.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> For those between 76 and 85 years old, the decision to screen should be individualized.<ref name=USPSTF2016/> For those at high risk, screenings usually begin at around 40.<ref name=Lancet10/><ref name="USPTF2008">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Several screening methods are recommended including stool-based tests every 2 years, sigmoidoscopy every 10 years with fecal immunochemical testing every two years, and colonoscopy every 10 years.<ref name=Qa2019/> It is unclear which of these two methods is better.<ref name=Bren2014/> Colonoscopy may find more cancers in the first part of the colon, but is associated with greater cost and more complications.<ref name="Bren2014">Template:Cite journal</ref> For people with average risk who have had a high-quality colonoscopy with normal results, the American Gastroenterological Association does not recommend any type of screening in the 10 years following the colonoscopy.<ref name="AGAfive">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="coloscreen">Template:Cite journal</ref> For people over 75 or those with a life expectancy of less than 10 years, screening is not recommended.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> It takes about 10 years after screening for one out of a 1000 people to benefit.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The USPSTF list seven potential strategies for screening, with the most important thing being that at least one of these strategies is appropriately used.<ref name=USPSTF2016/>

In Canada, among those 50 to 75 years old at normal risk, fecal immunochemical testing or FOBT is recommended every two years or sigmoidoscopy every 10 years.<ref name=CMAJ2016/> Colonoscopy is less preferred.<ref name="CMAJ2016">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Some countries have national colorectal screening programs that offer FOBT screening for all adults within a certain age group, typically starting between ages 50 and 60. Examples of countries with organised screening include the United Kingdom,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the Netherlands,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Hong Kong, and Taiwan.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

The UK Bowel Cancer Screening Programme aims to find warning signs in people aged 60 to 74, by recommending a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) every two years. FIT measures blood in faeces, and people with levels above a certain threshold may have bowel tissue examined for signs of cancer. Growths having cancerous potential are removed.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Li-2021"/>

TreatmentEdit

The treatment of colorectal cancer can be aimed at cure or palliation. The decision on which aim to adopt depends on various factors, including the person's health and preferences, as well as the stage of the tumor.<ref name="pmid21943995">Template:Cite journal</ref> Assessment in multidisciplinary teams is a critical part of determining whether the patient is suitable for surgery or not.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> When colorectal cancer is caught early, surgery can be curative. However, when it is detected at later stages (for which metastases are present), this is less likely and treatment is often directed at palliation, to relieve symptoms caused by the tumour and keep the person as comfortable as possible.<ref name="Lancet10" />

SurgeryEdit

File:Diagram showing a local resection of an early stage bowel cancer CRUK 068.svg
A diagram of a local resection of early stage colon cancer
File:Edges and margins in intestinal tumor.png
Margins of a colonic resection.

At an early stage, colorectal cancer may be removed during a colonoscopy using one of several techniques, including endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection.<ref name=NCI2014PtTx/> Endoscopic resection is possible if there is a low possibility of lymph node metastasis and the size and location of the tumor make en bloc resection possible.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> For people with localized cancer, the preferred treatment is complete surgical removal with adequate margins, with the attempt of achieving a cure. The procedure of choice is a partial colectomy (or proctocolectomy for rectal lesions) where the affected part of the colon or rectum is removed along with parts of its mesocolon and blood supply to facilitate removal of draining lymph nodes. This can be done either by an open laparotomy or laparoscopically, depending on factors related to the individual person and lesion factors.<ref name="Lancet10" /> The colon may then be reconnected or a person may have a colostomy.<ref name=NCI2014PtTx/>

If there are only a few metastases in the liver or lungs, these may also be removed. Chemotherapy may be used before surgery to shrink the cancer before attempting to remove it. The two most common sites of recurrence of colorectal cancer are the liver and lungs.<ref name=Lancet10/> For peritoneal carcinomatosis cytoreductive surgery, sometimes in combination with HIPEC can be used in an attempt to remove the cancer.<ref name="McCarthy-2012" />

ChemotherapyEdit

In both cancer of the colon and rectum, chemotherapy may be used in addition to surgery in certain cases. The decision to add chemotherapy in the management of colon and rectal cancer depends on the stage of the disease.<ref name="Colorectal Colon Cancer">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In Stage I colon cancer, no chemotherapy is offered, and surgery is the definitive treatment. The role of chemotherapy in Stage II colon cancer is debatable and is usually not offered unless risk factors such as T4 tumor, undifferentiated tumor, vascular and perineural invasion, or inadequate lymph node sampling are identified.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> It is also known that the people who carry abnormalities of the mismatch repair genes do not benefit from chemotherapy. For Stage III and Stage IV colon cancer, chemotherapy is an integral part of treatment.<ref name=Lancet10/>

If cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or distant organs, which is the case with Stage III and Stage IV colon cancer respectively, adding chemotherapy agents fluorouracil, capecitabine or oxaliplatin increases life expectancy. If the lymph nodes do not contain cancer, the benefits of chemotherapy are controversial. If the cancer is widely metastatic or unresectable, treatment is then palliative. Typically in this setting, a number of different chemotherapy medications may be used.<ref name="Lancet10" /> Chemotherapy drugs for this condition may include capecitabine, fluorouracil, irinotecan, oxaliplatin and UFT.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The drugs capecitabine and fluorouracil are interchangeable, with capecitabine being an oral medication and fluorouracil being an intravenous medicine. Some specific regimens used for CRC are CAPOX, FOLFOX, FOLFOXIRI, and FOLFIRI.<ref name="Fakih">Template:Cite journal</ref> Antiangiogenic drugs such as bevacizumab are often added in first line therapy.<ref name="l758">Template:Cite journal</ref> Another class of drugs used in the second line setting are epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, of which the three FDA approved ones are aflibercept, cetuximab and panitumumab.<ref name="Shaib2013">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

The primary difference in the approach to low-stage rectal cancer is the incorporation of radiation therapy. Often, it is used in conjunction with chemotherapy in a neoadjuvant fashion to enable surgical resection, so that ultimately a colostomy is not required. However, it may not be possible in low-lying tumors, in which case, a permanent colostomy may be required. Stage IV rectal cancer is treated similarly to Stage IV colon cancer.

Stage IV colorectal cancer due to peritoneal carcinomatosis can be treated using HIPEC combined with cytoreductive surgery, in some people.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Also, T4 colorectal cancer can be treated with HIPEC to avoid future relapses.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Radiation therapyEdit

While a combination of radiation and chemotherapy may be useful for rectal cancer,<ref name=Lancet10/> for some people requiring treatment, chemoradiotherapy can increase acute treatment-related toxicity and has not been shown to improve survival rates compared to radiotherapy alone, although it is associated with less local recurrence.<ref name="McCarthy-2012">Template:Cite journal</ref> For squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal, chemoradiation therapy (CRT) with 5-FU and mitomycin C is preferred over radiation alone, offering improved survival outcomes but with increased risks of acute hematological toxicity.<ref name="djae195">Template:Cite journal</ref>

The use of radiotherapy in colon cancer is not routine due to the sensitivity of the bowels to radiation.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Radiation therapy's side effects (and occurrence rates) include acute (27%) and late (17%) dermatological toxicities, acute (14%) and late (27%) gastrointestinal toxicities,<ref name="djae195" /> and late pelvic radiation disease (1-10%), e.g., irreversible lumbosacral plexopathy.<ref name="CCR-19-2744">Template:Cite journal</ref>

As with chemotherapy, radiotherapy can be used as a neoadjuvant for clinical stages T3 and T4 for rectal cancer.<ref name="Neoadjuvant radiotherapy for rectal">Template:Cite journal</ref> This results in downsizing or downstaging of the tumour, preparing it for surgical resection, and also decreases local recurrence rates.<ref name="Neoadjuvant radiotherapy for rectal" /> For locally advanced rectal cancer, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has become the standard treatment.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Additionally, when surgery is not possible radiation therapy has been suggested to be an effective treatment against CRC pulmonary metastases, which are developed by 10–15% of people with CRC.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

ImmunotherapyEdit

Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors is useful for a type of colorectal cancer with mismatch repair deficiency and microsatellite instability.<ref name="Bo2017">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Nic2017">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Borras2023">Template:Cite journal</ref> Pembrolizumab is approved for advanced CRC tumours that are MMR deficient and have failed usual treatments.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Most people who do improve, however, still worsen after months or years.<ref name=Nic2017/>

On the other hand, in a prospective phase 2 study published in June 2022 in The New England Journal of Medicine, 12 patients with Deficient Mismatch Repair (Template:Proper name) stage II or III rectal adenocarcinoma were administered single-agent dostarlimab, an anti–PD-1 monoclonal antibody, every three weeks for six months. After a median follow-up of 12 months (range, 6 to 25 months), all 12 patients had a complete clinical response with no evidence of tumor on MRI, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose–positron-emission tomography, endoscopic evaluation, digital rectal examination, or biopsy. Moreover, no patient in the trial needed chemoradiotherapy or surgery, and no patient reported adverse events of grade 3 or higher. However, although the results of this study are promising, the study is small and has uncertainties about long-term outcomes.<ref name="dostarlimab 2022">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Palliative careEdit

Palliative care can be used at the same time as the cancer treatment and is recommended for any person who has advanced colon cancer or who has significant symptoms.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Involvement of palliative care may be beneficial to improve the quality of life for both the person and his or her family, by improving symptoms, anxiety and preventing admissions to the hospital.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

In people with incurable colorectal cancer, palliative care can consist of procedures that relieve symptoms or complications from the cancer but do not attempt to cure the underlying cancer, thereby improving quality of life. Surgical options may include non-curative surgical removal of some of the cancer tissue, bypassing part of the intestines, or stent placement. These procedures can be considered to improve symptoms and reduce complications such as bleeding from the tumor, abdominal pain, and intestinal obstruction.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Non-operative methods of symptomatic treatment include radiation therapy to decrease tumor size as well as pain medications.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Psychosocial InterventionEdit

In addition to medical intervention, a variety of psychosocial interventions have been implemented to address psychosocial concerns in the context of colorectal cancer.<ref name="Son-2018">Template:Cite journal</ref> Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent in patients diagnosed with CRC, therefore psychosocial interventions can help alleviate psychological distress.<ref name="Peng-2019">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="auto1">Template:Cite journal</ref> Many patients continue to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression following treatment, regardless of treatment outcome.<ref name="Peng-2019" /><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Societal stigmas associated with colorectal cancer present further psychosocial challenges for CRC patients and their families.<ref name="Reynolds-2013">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Phelan-2013a">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Depression and AnxietyEdit

Colorectal cancer patients have a 51% higher risk of experiencing depression than individuals without the disease.<ref name="auto1"/> Additionally, CRC patients are at high risk of experiencing severe anxiety, low self-esteem, poor self-concept, and social anxiety.<ref name="Peng-2019"/><ref name="auto2">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Post-Treatment DistressEdit

Regardless of treatment outcome, many CRC patients experience ongoing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and distress.<ref name="Peng-2019"/>

Survivorship of CRC can involve significant lifestyle adjustments.<ref name="Phelan-2013a"/> Postoperative afflictions may include stomas, bowel issues, incontinence, odor, and changes to sexual functioning.<ref name="Phelan-2013a" /><ref name="auto2"/> These changes can result in distorted body image, social anxiety, depression, and distress—all of which contribute to a poorer quality of life.<ref name="Phelan-2013a" /><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide.<ref name="auto">Template:Cite journal</ref> Transitioning into palliative care and contending with mortality can be a deeply distressing experience for a CRC patient and their loved ones.

StigmaEdit

Colorectal cancer is highly stigmatized and can elicit feelings of disgust from patients, healthcare professionals, families, intimate partners, and the general public.<ref name="Reynolds-2013"/> Patients with stomas are especially vulnerable to stigmatization due to unavoidable odors, gas, and unpleasant noises from stoma bags.<ref name="Reynolds-2013" /> Additionally, associated CRC risk factors like poor diet, alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity prompt negative assumptions of blame and personal responsibility onto CRC patients.<ref name="Phelan-2013a"/> Judgement from others along with internalized self-blame and embarrassment can negatively affect self-esteem, sociability, and quality of life.<ref name="Phelan-2013a" />

Methods of InterventionEdit

Face-to-face interventions such as clinician-patient talk therapy, body-mind-spirit practices, and support group sessions have been identified as most effective in reducing anxiety and depression in CRC patients.<ref name="Son-2018"/> Additionally, journaling exercises and over-the-phone talk therapy sessions have been implemented.<ref name="Son-2018" /> Though deemed less effective, these non-face-to-face interventions are economically inclusive and have been found to reduce both depression and anxiety in CRC patients.<ref name="Son-2018" />

Follow-upEdit

The U.S. National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Society of Clinical Oncology provide guidelines for the follow-up of colon cancer.<ref name="NCCNguidelines">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="pmid16260687">Template:Cite journal</ref> A medical history and physical examination are recommended every 3 to 6 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for 5 years. Carcinoembryonic antigen blood level measurements follow the same timing but are only advised for people with T2 or greater lesions who are candidates for intervention. A CT-scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis can be considered annually for the first 3 years for people who are at high risk of recurrence (for example, those who had poorly differentiated tumors or venous or lymphatic invasion) and are candidates for curative surgery (with the aim to cure). A colonoscopy can be done after 1 year, except if it could not be done during the initial staging because of an obstructing mass, in which case it should be performed after 3 to 6 months. If a villous polyp, a polyp >1 centimeter or high-grade dysplasia is found, it can be repeated after 3 years, then every 5 years. For other abnormalities, the colonoscopy can be repeated after 1 year.<ref name="Colorectal Colon Cancer"/>

Routine PET or ultrasound scanning, chest X-rays, complete blood count or liver function tests are not recommended.<ref name="NCCNguidelines"/><ref name="pmid16260687"/>

For people who have undergone curative surgery or adjuvant therapy (or both) to treat non-metastatic colorectal cancer, intense surveillance and close follow-up have not been shown to provide additional survival benefits.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

ExerciseEdit

Exercise may be recommended in the future as secondary therapy for cancer survivors. In epidemiological studies, exercise may decrease colorectal cancer-specific mortality and all-cause mortality. Results for the specific amounts of exercise needed to observe a benefit were conflicting. These differences may reflect differences in tumour biology and the expression of biomarkers. People with tumors that lacked CTNNB1 expression (β-catenin), involved in Wnt signalling pathway, required more than 18 Metabolic equivalent (MET) hours per week, a measure of exercise, to observe a reduction in colorectal cancer mortality. The mechanism of how exercise benefits survival may be involved in immune surveillance and inflammation pathways. In clinical studies, a pro-inflammatory response was found in people with stage II–III colorectal cancer who underwent 2 weeks of moderate exercise after completing their primary therapy. Oxidative balance may be another possible mechanism for the benefits observed. A significant decrease in 8-oxo-dG was found in the urine of people who underwent 2 weeks of moderate exercise after primary therapy. Other possible mechanisms may involve metabolic hormones and sex-steroid hormones, although these pathways may be involved in other types of cancers.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Ballard-Barbash2012">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Another potential biomarker may be p27. Survivors with tumors that expressed p27 and performed greater and equal to 18 MET hours per week were found to have reduced colorectal cancer mortality survival compared to those with less than 18 MET hours per week. Survivors without p27 expression who exercised were shown to have worse outcomes. The constitutive activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway may explain the loss of p27 and excess energy balance may up-regulate p27 to stop cancer cells from dividing.<ref name="Ballard-Barbash2012"/>

Physical activity provides benefits to people with non-advanced colorectal cancer. Improvements in aerobic fitness, cancer-related fatigue and health-related quality of life have been reported in the short term.<ref name="Physical activity interventions for">Template:Cite journal</ref> However, these improvements were not observed at the level of disease-related mental health, such as anxiety and depression.<ref name="Physical activity interventions for"/>

PrognosisEdit

Fewer than 600 genes are linked to outcomes in colorectal cancer.<ref name="Uh2017">Template:Cite journal</ref> These include both unfavorable genes, where high expression is related to poor outcome, for example the heat shock 70 kDa protein 1 (HSPA1A), and favorable genes where high expression is associated with better survival, for example the putative RNA-binding protein 3 (RBM3).<ref name=Uh2017/> The prognosis is also correlated with a poor fidelity of the pre-mRNA splicing apparatus, and thus a high number of deviating alternative splicing.<ref name="Stromme">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Recurrence ratesEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The average five-year recurrence rate in people with colon cancer where surgery is successful is 5% for stage I cancers, 12% in stage II, and 33% in stage III. However, depending on the number of risk factors it ranges from 9–22% in stage II and 17–44% in stage III.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The average five-year recurrence rate in people with rectal cancer where surgery is successful is 9% for stage 0 (after pre-treatment) cancers, 8% for stage I cancers, 18% in stage II and 34% in stage III. Depending on the number of risk factors (0-2) the risk for distant metastasis in rectal cancer ranges from 4–11% in stage 0, 6–12% in stage I, 11–28% in stage II, and 15–43% in stage III.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite journal</ref>

The recurrence rates have decreased over the past decades as a result of improvements in the colorectal cancer management.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The risk of recurrence after five years of surveillance remain very low.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Survival ratesEdit

In Europe, the five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is less than 60%. In the developed world about a third of people who get the disease die from it.<ref name="Lancet10" />

Survival is directly related to detection and the type of cancer involved, but overall is poor for symptomatic cancers, as they are typically quite advanced. Survival rates for early-stage detection are about five times that of late-stage cancers. People with a tumor that has not breached the muscularis mucosa (TNM stage Tis, N0, M0) have a five-year survival rate of 100%, while those with invasive cancer of T1 (within the submucosal layer) or T2 (within the muscular layer) have an average five-year survival rate of approximately 90%. Those with a more invasive tumor yet without node involvement (T3–4, N0, M0) have an average five-year survival rate of approximately 70%. People with positive regional lymph nodes (any T, N1–3, M0) have an average five-year survival rate of approximately 40%, while those with distant metastases (any T, any N, M1) have a poor prognosis and the five-year survival ranges from <5 percent to 31 percent.<ref name="pmid20332485">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="agabegi2nd">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Five-year overall survival (OS) in rectal cancer after modern preoperative treatment and surgery was 90% for stage 0, 86% for stage I, 78% for stage II, and 67% for stage III according to a nationwide, population-based study.<ref name=":0" />

Whilst the impact of colorectal cancer on those who survive varies greatly there will often be a need to adapt to both physical and psychological outcomes of the illness and its treatment.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> For example, it is common for people to experience incontinence,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> sexual dysfunction,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> problems with stoma care<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and fear of cancer recurrence<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> after primary treatment has concluded.

A qualitative systematic review published in 2021 highlighted that there are three main factors influencing adaptation to living with and beyond colorectal cancer: support mechanisms, severity of late effects of treatment, and psychosocial adjustment. Therefore, people must be offered appropriate support to help them better adapt to life following treatment.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

EpidemiologyEdit

Globally more than 1 million people get colorectal cancer every year<ref name="Lancet10" /> resulting in about 715,000 deaths as of 2010 up from 490,000 in 1990.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Template:As of, it is the second most common cause of cancer in women (9.2% of diagnoses) and the third most common in men (10.0%)<ref name=WCR2014Epi/>Template:Rp with it being the fourth most common cause of cancer death after lung, stomach, and liver cancer.<ref name="WHO">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is more common in developed than developing countries.<ref name="pmid20952724">Template:Cite journal</ref> Global incidence varies 10-fold, with highest rates in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the US and lowest rates in Africa and South-Central Asia.<ref name="GLOBOCAN">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}; {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

United StatesEdit

In 2022, the incidence of colorectal cancer in the United States was anticipated to be about 151,000 adults, including over 106,000 new cases of colon cancer (some 54,000 men and 52,000 women) and about 45,000 new cases of rectal cancer.<ref name="asco">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Since the 1980s, the incidence of colorectal cancer decreased, dropping by about 2% annually from 2014 to 2018 in adults aged 50 and older, due mainly to improved screening.<ref name=asco/> However, the incidence of colorectal cancer has increased in individuals aged 25 to 50. In early 2023, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reported that 20% of diagnoses (of colon cancer) in 2019 were in patients under age 55, which is about double the rate in 1995, and rates of advanced disease increased by about 3% annually in people younger than 50. It predicted that, in 2023, an estimated 19,550 diagnoses and 3,750 deaths would be in people younger than 50.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Colorectal cancer also disproportionately affects the Black community, where the rates are the highest of any racial/ethnic group in the US. African Americans are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die from it than most other groups.Template:Cn Black Americans often experience greater obstacles to cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survival, including systemic racial disparities that are complex and go beyond the obvious connection to cancer.

United KingdomEdit

In the UK about 41,000 people a year get colon cancer making it the fourth most common type.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

AustraliaEdit

One in 19 men and one in 28 women in Australia will develop colorectal cancer before the age of 75; one in 10 men and one in 15 women will develop it by 85 years of age.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Papua New GuineaEdit

In Papua New Guinea and other Pacific Island States including the Solomon Islands, colorectal cancer is a very rare cancer compared to lung, stomach, liver, or breast cancer. It is estimated that 8 in 100,000 people are likely to develop colorectal cancer every year, while 24 in 100,000 women are likely to develop breast cancer.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCC)Edit

A diagnosis of colorectal cancer in patients under 50 years of age is referred to as early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCC).<ref name="auto"/><ref name="Puzzono-2021a">Template:Cite journal</ref> Instances of EOCC have increased over the last decade, specifically in patient populations aged 20 to 40 years old throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and China.<ref name="Puzzono-2021a" /><ref name="Vuik-2019">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Incidence by ageEdit

The incidence of colorectal cancer in younger populations has increased over the last decade.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="Puzzono-2021a"/><ref name="Vuik-2019"/> While advancements in the diagnostic procedure may have some impact, reduced likelihood of screening among these populations suggests detection bias is not a major contributor to this trend. It is more likely that cohort effects are contributing.<ref name="Vuik-2019" />

The population experiencing the greatest rise in EOCC cases are men and women aged 20 to 29 years old, with incidence increasing by 7.9% per year between 2004 and 2016.<ref name="Vuik-2019" /> Similarly, though less severe, men and women aged 30 to 39 experienced an increase in cases at a rate of 3.4% per year during that same period. Despite these increases, the mortality rate for colorectal cancer has remained the same.<ref name="Vuik-2019" />

Risk factorsEdit

Risk factors associated with EOCC are akin to those of all colorectal cancer cases.<ref name="Puzzono-2021a"/> Observed cohort effects are likely the product of generational shifts in lifestyle and environmental factors.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="Puzzono-2021a" />

Preventative screeningEdit

In 2018, the American Cancer Society modified their previous screening guideline for colorectal cancer from age 50 down to age 45 following the recognition of increasing cases of EOCC.<ref name="Vuik-2019"/> Individuals under the age of 60 have been identified as most susceptible to non-participation in colorectal cancer screening.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

HistoryEdit

Template:Expand section Rectal cancer has been diagnosed in an Ancient Egyptian mummy who had lived in the Dakhleh Oasis during the Ptolemaic period.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Society and cultureEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

File:Colorectal cancer campaign flags on National Mall.jpg
27,400 flags planted on the National Mall in March 2025, representing the estimated number of people who will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2030, as part of a campaign to secure research funding for the disease.

In the United States, March is colorectal cancer awareness month.<ref name="Screen11">Template:Cite journal</ref>

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) associated with the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified processed meat as a group I carcinogen, since the IARC has found sufficient evidence that consumption of processed meat by humans causes colorectal cancer.<ref>"Cancer: Carcinogenicity of the consumption of red meat and processed meat". IARC. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 12 March, 2025</ref><ref>"IARC Monographs evaluate consumption of red meat and processed meat" (PDF). IARC. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 12 March, 2025</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal)</ref>

ResearchEdit

Template:Update section Preliminary in-vitro evidence suggests lactic acid bacteria (e.g., lactobacilli, streptococci or lactococci) may be protective against the development and progression of colorectal cancer through several mechanisms such as antioxidant activity, immunomodulation, promoting programmed cell death, antiproliferative effects, and epigenetic modification of cancer cells.<ref name="Zhong2014">Template:Cite journal</ref>

  • The Cancer Genome Atlas<ref name="Muzny-2012"/>
  • The Colorectal Cancer Atlas integrating genomic and proteomic data pertaining to colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines have been developed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

See alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

External linksEdit

Template:Medical condition classification and resources Template:Sister project

Template:Gastroenterology Template:Digestive system neoplasia

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