Who are at Risk of Colorectal Cancer?
* Age. About 90% of people diagnosed with colon cancer are older than 50. Colon cancer can occur in younger people, but it occurs much less frequently.
* Family history of colorectal cancer, or polyps in the colon - If you have a positive family history of colorectal cancer, you are more likely to develop this disease.
* Inflammatory bowel disease - A person who has a condition that causes inflammation of the colon such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease for many years is at an increased risk. Fortunately, these are not common in the Philippines.
* Personal history of cancer - A person who already had colorectal cancer may develop colorectal cancer a second time. Also, a woman with a history of cancer of the ovary, uterus, or breasts are at a somewhat higher risk of developing the disease.
* Diet - Colon cancer and rectal cancer maybe associated with diet low in fiber and high in fats, calories, red meat and processed foods.
* Sedentary lifestyle
* Diabetes
* Obesity
* Smoking
How Do You Know if You Have Colon Cancer?
Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms.
The followings symptoms, however, may indicate colon cancer:
* Recent changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation
* Blood in the stool
* Persistent abdominal discomfort such as gas, cramps or pain
* Abdominal pain with bowel movement
* A feeling that your bowel does not empty completely
* Unexplained Anemia
* Weakness or fatigue
* Weight loss with no known reason
* Finding your stools narrower than usual
* Nausea or vomiting
With proper screening, colon cancer can be detected BEFORE the development of symptoms, when it is most curable.
What is Colorectal Cancer?
Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of the digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last 15 centimeters of the colon. Together, they’re often referred to as colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy worldwide, as well as in the Philippines.
Two-thirds of colorectal cancer are located somewhere in the colon. This type of cancer is a leading cause of cancer death, although it is curable when detected and treated early.
Most cases of colon cancer begin as small noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. Over time, some of these polyps become colon cancers. Polyps may be small and produce few, if any, symptoms.
Regular screening tests can help prevent colon cancer by identifying polyps before they become cancerous.
Colorectal diseases encompass a wide variety of conditions affecting the colon and rectum. The severity of each condition can vary from mildly irritating such as constipation or occasional diarrhea to life threatening such as colorectal cancer. Studies show that early screening and treatment of colon and rectal diseases can significantly improve treatment outcomes and survival rates of patients. However, many patients delay or don't seek treatment because of lack of knowledge about their disease and its symptoms or just too embarrassed to seek help.
Because the symptoms of different colon and rectal disease can closely resemble those of other diseases, there is the potential for misdiagnosis and mistreatment. Colon and rectal specialists emphasize the importance of early screening and treatment of colorectal diseases for the best outcomes. Therefore, it is important to be able to identify the signs and symptoms of the various diseases of the colon and rectum.
Colorectal Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery, also called minimally invasive surgery or keyhole surgery, is a modern surgical technique in which operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions.
Robotic-Assisted Colorectal Surgery
Robotic-assisted colorectal surgery revolutionizes the field of minimally-invasive surgery. The robotic machine combines 3D high definition vision with multiple instruments that have a complete range of subtle movement and rotations in the body. This allows the surgeon enhanced dexterity, precision and control of the instruments.
Robotic-assisted colorectal surgery provides many benefits to patients. There are small incisions hence, reduced scarring. There is less operative pain and lower risk of infection. There is faster recovery and return to normal function. Overall, there is superior treatment outcome.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Anal Sphincter Preservation
Anal sphincters are the muscles surrounding the anus that provide fecal continence, or the ability to control farting or defecation. The preservation of anal sphincter function and the avoidance of the need for permanent colostomy are of utmost importance. The preservation of continence is determined by the knowledge and skill of the surgeon. Your specialists continuously refine their techniques to preserve the anal sphincter during operations for cancer of the colon and rectum, and other colorectal conditions.
Repair can also be done to anal sphincters damaged by prior surgery and childbirth injuries. Techniques are now available to assess sphincter function by Anal Manometry, Endoanal ultrasound, and nerve testing.
Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization (THD)
Using a doppler ultrasound, the blood vessel supplying the hemorrhoid is identified and ligated with stitches. Deprived of its blood supply, the hemorrhoid then shrinks and shrivels. There is no wound outside and is therefore almost painless.
Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy