One of the most common forms of cancer across the country, colorectal cancer starts from the inner lining of the large intestine including the colon and rectum. Like almost every other cancer, colorectal cancer develops from a harmless tumor that people tend to overlook. These tumors will not exhibit any symptoms until they grow large. Colorectal cancer usually develops from polyps that grow in the inner surface of the intestines.

• Inflammatory and hyperplastic polyps do not carry the risk of developing into cancerous tumors. However, it is necessary to remove the ones growing on the right side of the colon as they tend to turn malignant.
• Adenomatous polyps or adenomas are mostly cancerous and can even turn into metastatic colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer develops from abnormal cells present in the polyps called dysplasia, and are commonly observed in people suffering from inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

Symptoms
Fortunately, there are a couple of signs that help detect cancer at an early stage and prevent it from becoming metastatic.

• Symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, constipation or diarrhea, pain and bloating in the abdomen, and fatigue are some common symptoms and might be a result of some other abdominal disease.

Apart from these, the following signs indicate that a person is suffering from precancerous tumors that might develop into metastatic colorectal cancer:

• Blood in the stools that make it look black
• Bright red blood oozing from the rectum
• A lump in the back passage or abdomen
• Colorectal cancer also results in iron deficiency

It is necessary to visit a doctor or an oncologist if the symptoms mentioned above persist for more than three weeks.

Stages of colorectal cancer
Stages of cancer refer to the extent to which cancer has spread. In the case of colorectal cancer, the stages determine how far it has extended through the walls of the colon and rectum. Let’s take a look at these stages:

• Stage 0: The earliest stage of cancer, malignant cells are found in the innermost lining of the colon.
• Stage 1: This stage denotes that cancer has spread beyond the innermost lining of the colon and has spread to the third layer of the colon wall.
• Stage 2: The abnormal cells have now turned into a tumor and extended through the muscular walls of the colon. However, the malignancy has not spread to the lymph nodes.
• Stage 3: An intermediary stage, the cancer cells have spread to one or more lymph nodes.
• Stage 4: This stage is also referred to as metastatic colorectal cancer as the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs, liver, and stomach.

Treatment procedures
Surgery can be used to treat the early stages of colorectal cancer. However, metastatic colorectal cancer requires advanced treatments and procedures that aim to increase the survival rates. Mentioned below are some treatment options:

• Surgery: The procedure is used commonly in the early stages of colorectal cancer. Malignant tumors present in the colon and nearby lymph nodes are removed surgically. In some cases, the rectum might also be surgically removed and replaced with a colostomy bag for drainage to collect stools.
• Chemotherapy: One of the common procedures used to treat cancer, chemotherapy involves the use of medications that target specific proteins that encourage the growth of malignant cells. The chief aim of this therapy is to destroy the cells by shrinking the tumor. Side effects include nausea, weight loss, hair loss, and decreased immunity. An oncologist might also prescribe certain medications such as Erbitux Cyramza mCRC in chemotherapy for advanced stages of colorectal cancer.
• Radiation therapy: The therapy uses high-intensity radiation beams to destroy the malignant cells, thereby preventing them from multiplying. Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat the rectal area. Radiation therapy has fewer side effects than chemotherapy because unlike chemotherapy, radiation therapy  only  targets and kills malignant cells. A combination of both the therapies could be used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer.
• Ablation: Although not commonly used to treat colorectal cancer, it can be used to assist other treatment procedures by reducing the size of tumors. Ablation is carried out using cryosurgery or radiofrequency. It involves needles and probes guided by CT scanning technology and ultrasound.

It is vital to consult an oncologist before choosing any of the treatment options mentioned above.

The recovery from the treatment depends on the stage of colorectal cancer, the patient’s general state of health, and whether the disease created a blockage in the colon. One can prevent colorectal cancer through regular screening, proper nutrition, and an active lifestyle. Oncologists have observed that this type of cancer affects both men and women equally. People aged over 50 have higher chances of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Hence, it is necessary to keep a check on your diet and lifestyle and look out for symptoms that might develop into a life-threating disease.