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How is the human intestine structured and what functions does it perform? How does colon cancer develop? How many people are affected in Germany? The following text explains the basics of the so-called colorectal carcinomas. Colorectal is a composition of two words and actually summarizes more than one type of cancer: in technical terms, a tumor in the large intestine is referred to as colon cancer. In the case of tumors in the rectum, on the other hand, it is also called rectal cancer.
The term “colorectal cancer” is generally understood to mean cancers of the colon (colon cancer) and the rectum (rectal cancer). In conclusion, they are called colorectal carcinoma. The term “carcinoma” characterizes cancers that originate from the covering tissue of the skin or mucous membrane – in this case, from the mucous membrane of the large intestine. Cancer in the small intestine is rare, as is the cancer of the anal region (anal carcinoma). Both types of cancer differ in their origin and treatment from colon and rectum cancer.
Colon cancer can develop in all sections of the large and rectum. One focus is in the lower part of the large intestine, namely in the lower 30 to 40 centimeters.
Frequency of colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is one of the three most common cancers in women and men in Germany, although there has been a continuous decline in the incidence rates in all age groups from 55 years of age since 2004. According to the Robert Koch Institute, around 33,000 men and 28,000 women develop colorectal cancer in Germany every year.
Mortality has been steadily decreasing since the mid-1970s, and the age-standardized death rates have fallen by more than 20% in both sexes in the last ten years alone. Nevertheless, colorectal cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death at 7.2%.
Colorectal cancer predominantly occurs from the age of 50, with women usually falling ill later than men. The mean age of onset is 75 years (women) and 72 years (men). The risk of the disease increases continuously with age. The majority of those affected receive the diagnosis beyond the age of 70 (> 50% of patients).
Colorectal cancer usually refers to cancers of the colon (colon cancer) or its lower end, the rectum (rectal cancer). Rarely there are cancerous tumors in the small intestine or on the anus. Since colorectal cancer develops very slowly and therefore initially shows hardly any symptoms, it is often only discovered in the late stage. A colonoscopy can help to detect a tumor at an early stage and thus save lives. The most important healing option is surgery.
Rectal cancer and colon cancer are also summarized under the term colorectal cancer. After prostate and lung cancer in men and breast cancer in women, they are among the most common types of cancer in the Western industrialized countries. It is estimated that more than 4,000 Swiss people fall ill with it every year. Most of those affected are older than 55 years at the time of diagnosis. About two-thirds of the diseases are located in the large intestine, the rest affects the rectum. Only one in a hundred cancers affects the small intestine.
About one in eight cancer diagnoses in Germany is “colorectal cancer”. Thus, malignant tumors in the colon and rectum are the second most common cancer in women and the third most common in men, which occur mainly in old age.(1)
pflege.de this guide informs you about possible signs of colorectal cancer and gives an overview of factors that can increase the risk of colorectal cancer. When the diagnosis is established, there are different treatment options. In addition, read about the steps that can follow after cancer therapy in the hospital and under what conditions those affected are entitled to a severely disabled ID card or degree of care.
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