Pathophysiology of Colon Cancer

Predisposing factors:
Precipitating factors:
• Age (56% Patient broke her right leg
>70yrs old) due to falling on the stairs
• Colorectal Etiology: Precipitating factors:
polyps Unknown • Diet – hit fat/low fibre
• Family history • Smoking
• Previous • Alcohol drinking
colorectal cancer • Lack of exercise
• Ulcerative
colitis /colonic Abnormal
crohn’s disease proliferation of cells
in the colon area

Signs and Symptoms:

Arising from • Rectal bleeding
Diagnostic test: epithelial lining of the • Bloody stools
• Fecal occult blood intestine • Abdominal pain
test • Fatigue
• SigmoIdoscopy • Constipation
• Digital Rectum Benign polyps occur • Diarrhea
Exam • Nausea and
Vomiting

If treated If not treated

Surgical Treatment: Continuous plorifetation of

• Colonoscopy cells in the polyps
• Virtual
Colonoscopy
Increase in size ot the polyps Exposure to carcinogens

Reduction likelihood
of regrowth
Diagnostic test:
Development of malignant tumor
• SigmoIdos
copy

Uncontrolled
proliferation
of cells in the tumor
marrow

Increase in
size

COLON CANCER

If treated If not treated

Surgical Treatment: Continues increase in size

• Colonoscopy
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
Metatases of cancer cells in
other organs

Reduction likelihood
of regrowth
Proliferation of cancer cells
in that area

Formation of new tumor

Complications occur

DEATH