Prognosis, Cure chances, Cure | Colon Cancer – Causes, Symptoms and Therapy

Prognosis, Cure chances, Cure

The prognosis of a patient with colorectal cancer depends very much on the stage of the disease. In the early stages, the chances of cure are very good, as the tumor is then still small and has not yet grown into surrounding tissue. It has also not yet spread to lymph nodes or other organs.

Therapeutically, the affected intestinal section can then be easily removed. However, if the colorectal cancer has already grown significantly and has already spread to other organs, the therapy is more difficult. The more organs and lymph node stations are affected and the larger the tumor, the worse the prognosis of the patient.

The patient’s general condition also plays a major role. Elderly and multiple pre-existing conditions have less chance of recovery than young and previously healthy patients. If all colon cancer patients are considered, it is approximately 40-60% who are still alive five years after their diagnosis.

Early detection services are therefore extremely important, since the earlier the disease is detected and treated, the better the chances of recovery. Once it reaches a certain size, colon cancer can grow into the blood vessels and lymphatic system. Through these pathways, tumor cells can settle and form metastases in other organs.The metastasis via blood vessels is medically referred to as hematogenic metastasis, the metastasis via lymph vessels as lymphogenic metastasis.

In colorectal cancer, the lungs and liver are particularly affected by metastases. This is due to the course of the blood vessels and lymph channels that form metastasis routes for tumor cells from the intestine. Colorectal cancer is divided into four different stages.

Stage IV is the most advanced stage, in which the tumor has already metastasized to distant organs such as the liver and/or lungs. These patients have a rather poor prognosis. The focus in the therapy of these patients is to maintain their quality of life.

The use of chemotherapy can keep the primary tumor and metastases in check for a while and prolong survival time. On average, only 5% of colon cancer patients with stage IV are still alive after five years. For patients or relatives, the first question that arises after the diagnosis of colorectal cancer is: How curable is colorectal cancer?

This cannot be answered in a generalized manner and depends extremely strongly on the stage of the tumor at the time of diagnosis. In particular, the question of how deep the colon cancer has grown into the intestinal wall and whether lymph nodes or other organs are affected is essential. In principle, it can be said that colorectal cancer in early stages is curable.

This is the case if only the mucous membrane layers of the colon are affected. The muscle layer, as well as the lymph nodes and other organs, must be tumor-free. In this case, the removal of the section of the colon affected by colon cancer is a measure carried out with healing intent.

Nevertheless, controls must still be carried out to detect a recurrence of colon cancer. Unfortunately, colorectal cancer only becomes noticeable in late stages through symptoms. Therefore, when it is diagnosed it is usually in advanced stages, so that it is often not completely curable at this point.

Nevertheless, in many cases, even if the therapy is not aimed at a cure, a good life expectancy and quality of life for the patient is possible. This question must also be answered by the fact that the chances of survival in colorectal cancer vary. They depend on the extent of the disease and the condition of the patient.

Many studies have investigated the chances of survival in colorectal cancer. The 5-year survival rate is always given. It corresponds to the proportion of patients who are still alive 5 years after diagnosis.

Depending on the stage of the tumor, the following results are presented: Stage I 80-100%, stage II 60-80%, stage III 30-60%, stage IV 0-57%. It can be seen that the chances of survival decrease sharply the further the colon cancer has progressed. This is also where the importance of early detection examinations becomes clear.

However, the figures are based on statistical evaluations. An individual assessment of the chances of survival must always be made for each patient. For example, a fit patient without underlying diseases has a higher chance of survival than a weak, seriously ill patient in the same tumor stage.

For this reason, the question “What are the chances of survival?” should always be based on an assessment by the treating physicians. The above figures can give a rough orientation.

There are some prophylactic measures that can significantly reduce the risk of developing colon cancer. Very important is a healthy and balanced diet with enough fiber, little red meat (pork, beef), sufficient fluid intake and little alcohol. Physical exercise is also enormously important to reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Sport ensures a good metabolism and stimulates the digestive processes. There are also various screening methods that are used for the early detection of colorectal cancer. From the age of 55 onwards, the statutory health insurance companies cover a preventive colonoscopy every 10 years, as colorectal cancer almost always develops from benign precursors (adenomas).

If a benign finding is excised during such a colonoscopy, the patient’s return to the clinic for another colonoscopy is reduced to 3-5 years. Otherwise, a colonoscopy every 10 years is sufficient. Patients who have frequent cases of colorectal cancer in their family receive the preventive colonoscopies from the age of 35 at the expense of the health insurance company.

Another early detection method is the stool test for hidden blood. This can be carried out annually by the family doctor from the age of 50. Further precautions include regular palpation of the rectum with the finger (digital-rectal examination), as many cancers are located in this area and are often palpable.With regular colorectal cancer screening, most cases can be detected very early and successfully treated.

It is therefore essential to take advantage of this offer. A healthy diet has protective properties regarding the risk of colorectal cancer. A diet rich in dietary fiber stimulates the intestinal motor function.

As a result, the waste products of the metabolism are transported out of the intestine more quickly and can have less of an adverse effect on the intestinal mucosa. The regular consumption of red meat – especially pork and beef – seems to increase the risk of intestinal cancer. The same applies to increased consumption of alcohol and nicotine.

A diet rich in sugar and the widespread lack of exercise are apparently also associated with an increased rate of intestinal cancer. A healthy and balanced diet with sufficient exercise can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer accordingly and should definitely be taken seriously.