In colon carcinoma (synonyms: Adenocarcinoma of the colon; CRC; Colon carcinoma; Colorectal carcinoma; Colorectal carcinoma; Colorectal carcinoma; Colorectal carcinoma; KRC; KRK; Colon carcinoma; Colorectal carcinoma; Rectal carcinoma; Rectal carcinoma; Colorectal carcinoma (CRC); ICD-10-GM C18.-: Malignant neoplasm of the colon) is a malignant (malignant) neoplasm of the colon or rectum (= colorectal carcinoma), which is almost always an adenocarcinoma. Cancers of the small intestine, on the other hand, occur only very rarely.
It is the third most common malignant (malignant) disease worldwide.
Colon carcinoma is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer in women in Germany. It is the second most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death.
Frequency peak: the disease occurs mainly after the age of 50 (90%), rarely even before the age of 40. The average age at first diagnosis in Germany is approximately 73-74 years. Note: Colorectal cancer patients are becoming younger and younger; in the U.S., one in ten colorectal cancers is now diagnosed in people under 50 years of age. Approximately 61,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Germany each year.
The incidence (frequency of new cases) in Europe varies between 20 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year (in Greece) and 40 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year (in Germany). Germany ranks first in incidence in Europe for women and fourth for men.
Course and prognosis: Colon carcinoma (cancer of the large intestine) develops slowly over years to decades, with the affected person initially experiencing no symptoms or discomfort. Adenomas (benign gland-forming tumors of the colon or rectal mucosa) or polyps (pedunculated protrusions of the mucosa) initially form. Adenomas are not yet carcinoma (cancer), but are considered a precursor to colon cancer and a serious warning sign because they can develop into malignant tumors. The adenoma peak occurs approximately 10 years before the onset of carcinoma. As the size of the adenoma increases, so does the risk of developing invasive carcinoma. Adenomas can be detected in time and removed at the same time by a colonoscopy (colonoscopy). Colon carcinoma occurs recurrently (recurring). The later colon cancer is detected, the greater the risk of recurrence. The likelihood of local recurrence (recurrence of a tumor in the same area) is 10-30%, so regular follow-up after therapy is significant.
The lethality (mortality related to the total number of people suffering from the disease) is up to 50%.
The 5-year survival rate is approximately 90-95% for stage I and II. In contrast, in stage III with lymph node metastases, it is only about 50%, and in stage IV with distant metastases, it is 10%.
