CANCER.

Information on current developments in both regular and alternative or complementary treatments for cancer types and resources at all stages. We have basically all articles and information put in alphabetical order, scroll in left column in alphabetical list.

Experiences of cancer patients with complementary approaches can be found by experience stories and there are also some videos of experiences of cancer patients to see. To click on video button top left . Or visit the website of the SNFK information where movies are shown on complementary approaches to cancer.

Colorectal cancer (general) information on complaints, investigations, conventional treatments and effects

Update September 2004: In the Netherlands each year approximately 8,000 people colon cancer. After lung cancer and prostate cancer is colon cancer the most common cancer in men. In women, colorectal cancer, after breast cancer, even the second most common cancers. Approximately 1,800 people is about rectal cancer. The majority of tumors (70-80%) occurs in the last sections of the colon: the so-called sigmoid and rectum. Colon cancer usually occurs in people in old age, say after the sixties. Colon cancer often grows through the layers of the bowel wall around. Also quick question of metastases in the surrounding lymph afvloedgebied. If there is a proliferation of loose tumor cells via the blood metastases may occur in other organs such as liver, lungs and / or bones. Also, tumor cells in the abdominal cavity, which then lodge in the peritoneum. The fluid retention that would result can be very painful. Colorectal cancer without metastases survive in the KWF 40 to 80% the disease. Means in terms KWF survive five years after diagnosis are still alive. If after six years still die in these calculations is still registered as a survivor and is thus a misleading way of measuring, especially in cancer because people's lives can stretch quite a number of years with both chemotherapy and proper nutrition etc.. See for instance some stories b> your story . Colorectal cancer with metastases is this drastically. The KWF does not mention these figures, but now shows an overall survival rate, so all in all cancer patients, including those without metastasis and then they call a rate of 35%. A little arithmetic shows that the survival of colon cancer with metastases already below 20% will be over there. And then not mention the quality of life, for colorectal cancer surgery means major changes in body and mind (see below at surgery). Colorectal cancer represents a very serious form of cancer and will much care, grief and pain for those involved. Patients with these symptoms / disorders have an increased risk of colorectal cancer:

  • Polyps, which are benign tumors of the colon
  • People previously treated for colon cancer. The risk of a relapse (return of colon cancer) in this type of cancer is higher with a former patient of colon cancer than the general population. (See car or vaccination of colorectal cancer later in this information)
  • Disorders that are characterized by chronic inflammation of the colon such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
  • And finally there are some hereditary forms of colon cancer. These are the "HNPCC or Lynch syndrome 'and' familial adenomatous polyposis. Both disorders are inherited from generation to generation.


    • The Lynch syndrome (5% of all patients with colorectal cancer) usually occurs at a younger age, around forty. And this form we see mostly in the upper part of the large intestine. At the Lynch syndrome is an increased risk of tumors in other organs such as the lining of the uterus. In Lynch syndrome, several genes responsible for this disorder, but unlike polyposis is not known exactly which gene is the cause of this disease.
    In "Familial adenomatous polyposis" We see hundreds of benign polyps in the colon. If these polyps are not removed can eventually colon cancer development. (At 1%, this is the case of all cases of colorectal cancer). In polyposis is known which gene causes the disease.
    Besides the hereditary colorectal cancer in the two species is known from research that the consumption of animal fats (except fatty fish), an increased risk of developing colon cancer. And so an investigation found that the Groningen heam, common in red meat, an increased risk for the development of colon cancer. (See later in this story). People with low physical activity have an increased risk for colon cancer. Fiber-rich foods like brown bread, brown rice, vegetables and fruit, but also calcium-rich foods (see Groningen study) indicate a protective effect. Complaints:

    Depending on where the CRC is located, the following symptoms occur. If the cancer manifests itself in the latter part of the large intestinethat:

  • Changes in bowel habits. Eg. many obstructions or alternating constipation and diarrhea
  • Red blood or mucus in the stools by damaging the tumor
  • Impulse-free.


    • If the cancer is in the upper part are the symptoms first:

  • Anemia, fatigue and dizziness. Chronic bleeding in the colon is the cause of it. One notices the blood loss itself has not.
  • Vague abdominal pain.
  • A sensitive spot in the abdomen or swelling in the abdomen. Now of course everyone sometimes pain, but four weeks if the symptoms persist it is advisable to your doctor.


    • Depending on the severity and symptoms may occur following studies of colorectal cancer:
  • Rectal Examination
  • Research laboratory testing stool
  • X-rays of the colon
  • Endoscopy (a tube to look inside)
  • Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (also look inside, but with a long flexible tube)
  • Endo-ultrasonography (look inside while ensuring an echo is created and the image is visible on a monitor)
  • Blood tests. Here we look at the CEA level in the blood. The CEA represents carcino-embryonic antigen. Elevated CEA levels may be indicative of colon cancer.


    • If so then can also trigger further investigations take place the following:

  • X-rays of the urinary tract
  • Ultrasound of the liver
  • Surveys for any anesthesia (necessary for an operation)


    • After considering the seriousness of colorectal cancer is often indicated by a classification stage:

  • Dukes A tumor confined to the mucosa and the inner muscle layer of the colon
  • Dukes B1 tumor ingrowth into the outer muscular wall of the colon
  • The Dukes B2 tumors by all layers of the muscular wall has grown into the surrounding fat
  • Dukes C1 also metastases in the lymph nodes in the vicinity of the tumor in the colon.
  • Dukes C2 there are metastases in the lymph node at a distance from the tumor in the colon
  • Dukes D there are metastases in other organs like the liver or lungs and / or by growth in adjacent organs


    • Treatments:

  • Operation.
  • Radiation (radiotherapy)
  • Chemotherapy


    • Operation:
    The most common treatment for colon cancer is surgery. How such a major operation is of course depends on the stage and location of the tumors. A small tumor in the rectum is often removed by elektrofulguratie. This is an electrical device that very accurately and without too much extra to have to cut away the tumor is vaporized as it were. In larger operations, first consider whether the anus is preserved. If that is the case then instead of a colo-anal anastomosis stoma constructed. Anostomose is a compound that is placed in an operation as a part of the surrounding lymph afvoedgebied and a piece of healthy colon with blood vessels that shall be operated on. In anostomose than the two ends of the colon back together tied. In colo-anal anostomose are the two ends of the colon tied together, but the anus and thereby spared involved. This is only possible under certain conditions: the sphincter should be preserved and depends on tumor size and growth potential in the surrounding tissues. There should be enough left colon with a functioning blood supply. The chance of a recurrence, the recurrence of the disease should be small.
    In a larger operation, this usually means that a stoma should be constructed. This means a huge change for the patient and requires much adaptation and acceptance. The stool with a colostomy stoma of the colon-usually remains the same as 'normal'. Very often occurs, and impotence, patients with a stoma problems with their sexuality. For more information and help on a stoma can call various aid agencies and / or advice. For addresses below this article.

    CRC 'radiation / surgery using laser light. See PDT - Photodynamic therapy , also successful in colon cancer and rectal cancer.

    Irradiation:

    Actually, radiotherapy is only used in patients with a tumor in the rectum. Usually the palliative radiotherapy (analgesic) used and not curative (healing). However,curative radiotherapy sometimes used after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells and in some cases for surgery to remove the tumor first and then reduce them to operate. PDT - Photodynamic therapy is now used, and we know some people with inoperable rectal cancer, by treatment with PDT with radachlorin good refurbished were either interoperate.

    Chemotherapy:


    Chemo is not often given to colon cancer. However, the palliative used for larger tumors where many patients suffer from trying to reduce. Today, patients whose disease stage Dukes C placed after surgery with additional chemotherapy treatment. This is then given together with a drug that stimulates the immune system: the so called immunotherapy. Read further in articles that chemo's now up to date and the first line are given, but pay special attention to Xeloda - capecitabine, a chemotherapy with a tablet orally at home can be occupied and that at least the same effects as the common standard intravenous 5-FU. Read current report cancer at our hands, only for OPS members on current developments in cancer, both surgical sense, RFA and LITT for example - and in new and additional chemotherapy additional natural non toxic products. Of cancer in 2004, you do not immediately apparent to die anymore. There really is still possible in certain stages, also in stage III colon cancer and    IV.